Subfamily Dolichoderinae Compiled by Hilda Taylor Genus Linepithema

Subfamily Dolichoderinae Compiled by Hilda Taylor Genus Linepithema Subfamily Dolichoderinae Descriptive Characteristic: - Ants in this subfamily have reduced petiole, the postpetiole is fused to the gaster - Sting is vestigial or absent (not visible) - Very strong scent - Transverse cloacal orifice Behavior: - Aggressive, bite but do not sting Habitat: - All over the world

Genus Azteca Worker Queen Gaster Descriptive Characteristics: -Only petiole is visible Habitat: - Mexico - Arboreal (trees and branches) - Medium size ants Behavior: - Aggressive, bite do not sting - Run very fast Note: When placed in alcohol, they curve their gaster above the mesosoma

Genus Dolichoderus Propodeum has spines or angles Long skinny neck Descriptive Characteristics: - W ide range in sizes - Long neck - Propodeum has spines or angles - Strong unpleasant scent Habitat: - NE in US and Mexico (forest-like) - Trees, dead branches (~3/4” diam) and twigs - Distributed from lowlands to mountainous regions Behavior - Very aggressive, bite cannot sting - Run very fast

Genus Dorymyrmex (Conomyrmex) Descriptive Characteristics: - Monomorphic - Unique conical projection on propodeum - Hairs under the head (used to haul sand) - Strong scent Habitat: - Common in disturbed areas - Nest in soil, sand Behavior: - Run very fast (crazy little guys)

Genus Forelius Hairs in clypeus Descriptive Characteristics: -Monomorphic -Strong scent -Petiole node visible -Long hairs from clypeus extending over head and mandibles (longer than in Linepithema, spp) Behavior - Aggressive Habitat: - Occurs in xeric habitats from Great Lakes south in US and Mexico - Common in urban habitats (disturbed habitats areas)

Genus Linepithema (Iridomyrmex) Descriptive Characteristics: - No hairs on alitrunk - Propodeum sticks up like a rectangular structure above the mesonotum Behavior: - Aggressive - Spray chemicals when threatened (Solenopsis invicta cannot handle them) Habitat: - Mesic and urban habitats - Rare in xeric zones

Genus Liometopum Alitrunk convex Descriptive Characteristics: - Polymorphic - Eyes not on edges, they are near the middle of the head - Antennal origin is close to the clypeus - Alitrunk is convex - Strong scent Habitat: - Western US and Mexico - Oak forests Behavior: - Aggressive Note: Very similar to Camponotus, spp, but it does not have a scent

Genus Tapinoma Petiole Descriptive Characteristics: - Monomorphic - Petiole mode very low and anteriorly inclinded (appearing absent), often hidden under gaster - US ant is dark brown Gaster overhangs the petiole Habitat: - Southern Mexico - Tempered zones, tropics - Common in wetter sites under rocks. - Nest in dead branches, rotting fallen trees, rotting stumps and in the soil. - Common in houses Behavior - Aggressive - Workers forage on trees, herbaceous plants and below ground