7 replies to this topic

[TennesseeAnts]

Exactly what the title says.

[Somethinghmm]

According to antwiki.com "It enslaves Formica Fusca and Formica subsericea"

Edited by Somethinghmm, April 16 2019 - 10:41 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Thank you!

[Jamiesname]

I've never witnessed Formica Exsectoides enslaving other ants and they're all over by me. There are literally thousands of mounds. I have, however found them living with other black Formica ants, which I'm assuming were Formica Subsericea. I'm 99% sure that they're social parasites and not slavers. I'll let you know in a couple months for sure. I have a colony with 9 queens and a pile of eggs.

[TennesseeAnts]

Flights are starting up here, so I will let you know if they are just socially parasitic. We can share data.

[AntsBC]

To clarify, they are social parasites, not slave raiders. They do parasitize F. subsericea, although they do not enslave them past the founding stages. 

 

Although AntWiki can be a good source, try not to solely rely on them for all your information. They can often be found misplacing or confusing info between species in the same genus, as found in this case.

[TennesseeAnts]

Good to here! I kinda expected that, as Formica subsericea are the most common host species in Middle Tennessee.

[TennesseeAnts]

To clarify, they are social parasites, not slave raiders. They do parasitize F. subsericea, although they do not enslave them past the founding stages. 
 
Although AntWiki can be a good source, try not to solely rely on them for all your information. They can often be found misplacing or confusing info between species in the same genus, as found in this case.

Also, on an unrelated note, any updates on your Formica pacifica? The person I left mine with told me that they have over 3000 workers and eight alate pupae!