Subfamily FORMICINAE Tribe FORMICINI Formica integra Nylander |
Formica integra, frontal view of the head of a worker. |
Formica integra, side view of a worker. |
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I found this large colony of Formica integra under a large rock in the Cedars of Lebanon State Forest in central Tennessee during a collecting trip by the Mississippi Entomological Museum in 2009. These large red and black ants do not sting, but readily bite when disturbed. Workers also emit formic acid from the acidipore of the gaster (rear-end), which is quite acrid. It was actually difficult to breathe after moving the rock above their colony because of the strong smell! |