Species Insects & ArthropodsForelius Ant

Forelius Ant

Forelius pruinosus

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Forelius Ant (Forelius pruinosus)

The Forelius Ant is a tiny, fast-moving prairie ant that forms dense foraging trails across open ground in the Southern Plains. It is one of the fastest ants in North America when running and nests in small colonies in dry soil. In competition with harvester ants, it has the unusual ability to spray formic acid at much larger competitors to drive them away from food sources.

Habitat
Dry prairies, desert grasslands, and disturbed open ground
Diet
Adults: insects, seeds, and honeydew
How common
Common

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