Species Insects & ArthropodsNotch-waisted Ant

Notch-waisted Ant

Formica exsecta

UncommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Notch-waisted Ant (Formica exsecta)

The Notch-waisted Ant is a medium-sized red-and-black ant named for the notched waist of its major workers, which help defend the colony. It builds domed grass-and-needle mound nests in open meadows and is known to raid colonies of other ant species to capture workers as slaves. Workers actively tend and protect aphid colonies on nearby plants.

Habitat
Open meadows, forest clearings, and heathland
Diet
Adults: honeydew, insects, and nectar. Larvae: trophic eggs and prey
How common
Uncommon

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