ants
(Family Formicidae)
| Overview | Formicidae is the family that includes ants. There are at least 14,000 known species of ants worldwide. The potential number of species is closer to 22,000. There are more than 700 species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 57 species in Minnesota (CCESR). They occur on every continent except Antarctica. They are found in a wide variety of habitats. Most live underground and are seen only when foraging for food. |
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| Photo by Alfredo Colon | |||||||
| Identification | Adults are 1 ⁄32″ to 1″ in length. The second abdominal segment, sometimes the first two segments, forms a distinctive node or hump called the petiole. The antennae are elbowed, with a very long basal segment (scape), and the remaining segments held at a sharp, elbow-like angle to the scape. Queens and males are usually winged, workers are always wingless. |
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| Distribution |  |
The map at left is incomplete. All of the counties in white should probably be in green.
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| Taxonomy | Order: |
Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies) |
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Suborder: |
Apocrita (wasps, ants and bees) |
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No Rank: |
Aculeata (ants, bees and stinging wasps) |
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Superfamily: |
Formicoidea (ants) |
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Family: |
Formicidae (ants) |
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| Subordinate Taxa | Subfamily Dolichoderinae Subfamily Ectatomminae Subfamily Formicinae Subfamily Myrmicinae Subfamily Ponerinae |
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| Synonyms |
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| Common Names |
ants |
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| Alfredo Colon | |||
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| Other Videos | |||
| Ants - Formicidae - YouTube JCVdude |
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About
Mar 16, 2012 Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than 12,500 out of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. Ant societies have division of labour, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems. music by Zeropage - 02 - Ambient India |
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| Mound-building Ants (Formicidae) Carl Barrentine |
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About
Apr 18, 2010 This large ant nest or mound appears to consist entirely of soil. Photographed at the Rydell NWR, Minnesota (17 April 2010). |
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| Visitor Sightings | ||||
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This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/21/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/20/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| Alfredo Colon 7/9/2018 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings | ||||
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Created: 1/5/2019
Last Updated: