Ant (Formicoxenus provancheri)

Description

Ant fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Ant description

Formicoxenus provancheri belongs to a genus whose species are known as ‘guest-ants’, social parasites that live in colonies of other ant species. Formicoxenus provancheri inhabits the nest of Myrmica incompleta, an ant species three to five times larger than itself ⁽²⁾.

There are three morphs of Formicoxenus provancheri. The winged morph has completely developed ocelli and thoracic structures. The wingless morph lacks ocelli and has a fused thorax. A third morph is intermediate between the two, and has no wings and reduced structures ⁽²⁾.

All female Formicoxenus provancheri have a spermatheca (a receptacle in which sperm is stored after mating) and are able to mate and produce fertilised eggs, although only one female in a nest is fertile and will breed ⁽²⁾.

Ant biology

Formicoxenus provancheri forms separate, small nests at the edge, or in the wall of, the larger Myrmica incompleta nests. The colonies do not mix as the galleries of the Formicoxenus provancheri nest are too small to allow the larger hostants to enter. Myrmica incompleta seem to show little aggression towards the parasitic Formicoxenus provancheri, and the two species mutually accept each other. However, the broods of the two species are always kept in separate chambers as Myrmica incompleta will prey on Formicoxenus provancheri larvae ^(2) (4).

Each colony of Formicoxenus provancheri contains only one fertile female. Unlike other ant species, only a few Formicoxenus provancheri remain in the nest and tend to the brood that the queen produces. The largest numbers of Formicoxenus provancheri are found in the Myrmica incompleta nest. These individuals are strongly attracted to both Myrmica incompleta adults and larvae, and will frequently mount and lick the host ants in order to receive regurgitated food. This behaviour, known as ‘shampooing’, may also be used to obtain the Myrmica colony odour. Formicoxenus provancheri do not forage, and are instead completely dependent on the larger host ants for food ⁽²⁾. 

Formicoxenus provancheri has also been shown to possess the ability to follow scent trails deposited by Myrmica incompleta workers. This trail allows Formicoxenus provancheri to follow hosts to new nest sites ⁽⁵⁾.

Ant range

Formicoxenus provancheri can be found in Canada and the United States ⁽¹⁾.

Ant habitat

The nests of Myrmica incompleta which are inhabited by Formicoxenus provancheri are found in clumps of moss and under logs and stones in damp meadows and bogs ^{(2) (3)}.

Ant status

Formicoxenus provancheri is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Ant threats

There are currently no known threats to Formicoxenus provancheri.

Ant conservation

There are currently no specific conservation measures known to be in place for Formicoxenus provancheri.

Find out more

To learn more about the conservation of ants and other insects see:

• The Xerces Society:
  http://www.xerces.org/
• Buglife:
  http://www.buglife.org.uk/

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme.

Glossary

Colony

A group of organisms living together.

Genus

A category used in taxonomy, which is below ‘family’ and above ‘species’. A genus tends to contain species that have characteristics in common. The genus forms the first part of a ‘binomial’ Latin species name; the second part is the specific name.

Larva

Immature stage in an animal’s lifecycle, after it hatches from an egg and before it changes into the adult form. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but are usually unable to reproduce.

Morph

One of two or more distinct types of a given species, often distinct colour forms, which occur in the same population at the same time (that is, are not geographical or seasonal variations).

Ocelli

Plural of ocellus: a simple eye, with a single lens.

Parasite

An organism that derives its food from, and lives in or on, another living organism at the host’s expense.

Thorax

Part of the body located between the head and the abdomen in animals. In insects, the three segments between the head and the abdomen, each of which has a pair of legs. In vertebrates the thorax contains the heart and the lungs.

References

1. IUCN (September, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. Errard, C., Fresneau, D., Heinze, J., Francoeur, A. and Lenoir, A. (1997) Social organization in the guest-ant Formicoxenus provancheri. Ethology, 103(1): 149-159.
3. Kannowski, P.B. (1957) Notes on the ant Leptothorax Provancheri Emery. Psyche: A Journal Of Entomology, 64(1): 1-5
4. Lenoir, A., Errard, C., Francoeur, A. and Loiselle, R. (1992) Biological and ethological observations on the interactions between the parasite ant Formicoxenus provancheri and its host Myrmica incompleta. Insectes Sociaux, 39(1): 81-97.
5. Lenoir, A., Detrain, C. and Barbazanges, N. (1992) Host trail following by the guest ant Formicoxenus provancheri. Experientia, 48(1): 94-97.