Aphaenogaster fulva Roger

Subfamily MYRMICINAE Tribe PHEIDOLINI Aphaenogaster fulva Roger

Aphaenogaster fulva, full face view of worker (click image to enlarge).	Aphaenogaster fulva,profile view of worker. Propodeal spine length is variable, but the spines pictured above are typical for this area as is the direction in which they point. Legs are colored similarly to the body color (click image to enlarge).

Aphaenogaster fulva, full face view of worker. (click image to enlarge)	Aphaenogaster fulva,profile view of worker (click image to enlarge).

Aphaenogaster fulva,full face view of queen (click image to enlarge).	Aphaenogaster fulva,profile view of dealate queen. Notice the striate mesopleural area (compare with queens of A. carolinensis) (click image to enlarge).

Aphaenogaster fulva,full face view of male (click image to enlarge).	Aphaenogaster fulva,profile view of male (click image to enlarge).

Aphaenogaster fulva, colony in rotting log (click image to enlarge).
Introduction Ants in the genus Aphaenogaster are medium sized to large, slender with long legs and antennae, usually have propodeal spines (a few species lack spines), have 12 segmented antennae with the last 4 segments forming a weak club. The genus is widespread in North America and species nest in rotting wood, under bark, and in soil. Identification Workers of A. fulva are variable in size, color, and length of the propodeal spines. Typical specimens in this area are light to dark brown with similarly colored legs and coxae; heads narrowed and much longer than wide; scapes are relatively short; and prododeal spines long and usually directed upward. The mesonotum is often abruptly raised above the pronotum and has a depression as seen from front to back (or back to front). The femora (especially the hind femora) are long and thin. The mesopleural area of the queen is striate and is quite different from A. carolinensis, which has a smooth mesopleuron. Workers of A. carolinensis differ from A. fulva by having shorter propodeal spines, generally lighter color, lighter colored legs and coxae, forecoxae not being obviously striate, and the mesonotum either not being raised above the level of the pronotum, or if so, then lacking a welt or depression as seen from front to back (or back to front). Both A. carolinensis and A. fulva are often found in the same habitats, although A. fulva tends to nest in rotting wood, whereas A. carolinensis usually nests in the soil. Both A. fulva and A. carolinensis are are much smaller than A. lamellidens or A. treatae, two other very common Aphaenogaster species in our area. Biology and Economic Importance Aphaenogaster fulva is a very common species in forested areas where it typically nests in the rotting wood in medium to fairly large colonies. Colonies may also extend into the soil, especially underneath rotting wood or at the bases of trees. Alates have been collected in MS in mid June to mid July. Although this species has the potential to sting, it is unlikely to pose any serious threat due to its non-aggressive behavior. I have handled thousands of this species and never received a sting, even when they were crawling all over me! Due to its abundance in the landscape, it could be an occasional nuisance pest in the home as workers forage for food. Distribution In the Southeast, this species is known to occur in AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN. Smith (1979) also gives its range as occurring from VT to FL, west to NE and CO. Literature Cited Smith, D. R. 1979. In Catalog of Hymenoptera in America north of Mexico. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D. C. Vol. 2, pp. 1323-1427. Links AntWeb Images Discover Life Images