Formica cinerea is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.[2]
| Formica cinerea | |
|---|---|
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| Formica cinerea alate queen | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Formicinae |
| Genus: | Formica |
| Species: | F. cinerea
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| Binomial name | |
| Formica cinerea Mayr, 1853
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Distribution edit
This species is distributed through the majority of Europe, from Spain to western Siberia and from Scandinavia to the Balkans. Its also present in the Near East and in the eastern Palearctic realm. It is lacking in the UK.[3]
Description edit
Formica cinerea can reach a length of 4–7 millimetres (0.16–0.28 in) in workers, or 8–11 millimetres (0.31–0.43 in) in queens. Body is dark gray or silvery, large and agile, with extra large eyes and dark reddish legs.[4]
This species can be easily confused with Formica fusca, Formica fuscocinerea and Formica selysi. The distinction of these species is very difficult and it is only possible under the microscope.[4]
Habitat edit
Underground nest are usually built in dry and sunny sand habitats with scarce vegetation. It is often found together with the ant Lasius psammophilus on sand-dunes. Also occurs in human-constructed open habitats such as river dams, on seaside beaches and occurs up to 1800–2500 m in the mountains.[4]
Biology edit
This species predates mostly insects, arachnids and other invertebrates, and also feeds on honeydew. It is very aggressive and therefore it is hardly used by other ant species as the host species. As an adaptation to open habitats these ants have good vision and can run very fast. Colonies may either be monogyne or polygyne, the latter frequently develop into vast and very populous polydomous systems. The swarming takes place from June to August, with a winter rest from October to March.[1][4][5]
Gallery edit
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Formica cinerea carrying a fly -
Worker. Museum specimen -
Detail of head
References edit
- ^ a b Seifert, B. (2002). "A taxonomic revision of the Formica cinerea group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)". Abhandlungen und Berichte des Naturkundemuseums Görlitz. 74 (2): 245–272.
- ^ Biolib
- ^ Fauna europaea
- ^ a b c d Ameisen Forum
- ^ Zhu, D., Chapuisat, M., Pamilo, P. (2003): Highly variable social organisation of colonies in the ant Formica cinerea. Hereditas 139: 7–12. doi:10.1111/j.1601-5223.2003.01613.x
Bibliography edit
- Csősz S, Markó B, Gallé L 2011. The myrmecofauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Hungary: an updated checklist North-Western Journal of Zoology 7: 55—62.
- Czechowski W, Markó B 2005. Competition between Formica cinerea Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and co-occurring ant species, with special reference to Formica rufa L.: direct and indirect interferences Polish Journal of Ecology 53: 467—487.
- Markó B, Czechowski W 2004. Lasius psammophilus Seifert and Formica cinerea Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on sand dunes: conflicts and coexistence Annales Zoologici 54: 365—378.
External links edit
Media related to Formica cinerea at Wikimedia Commons
