Biology:Formica archboldi

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Short description: Species of ant

Formica archboldi
F. archboldi are the darker-colored ants in this image, the reddish-orange one in the center is a Polyergus lucidus queen
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Formicini
Genus: Formica
Species:
F. archboldi
Binomial name
Formica archboldi
Smith, 1944

Formica archboldi is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, hence its common name, Skull-collecting Ant.[1] They are known for their unusual behavior, which includes the collection and storage of Odontomachus (trap-jaw) ant skulls.

Formica archboldi ants store these severed ant heads in their nests. Formica archboldi have odors that are chemically similar to the odors of the trap-jaw ants, which might allow Formica ants to disguise themselves among trap-jaw ants. Formica ants immobilize trap-jaw ants by spraying formic acid, then drag them into their nest, and dismember them.[2][3]

Further reading

References

Wikidata ☰ Q3647767 entry