Myrmicinae
Two leaf-cutter ants
The red ants ( Myrmicinae ) are a subfamily within the ants ( Formicidae ). In addition to the red ants are in Central Europe nor the shed ants ( Formicinae ), the Urameisen ( Ponerinae ) and the glands of ants ( Dolichoderinae ) to the common ant groups.
- 4.1 Notes and references
- 4.2 Literature
Features
The decisive factor for the German name of this subfamily is the special shape of the abdomen. When the node is stalks the ants (see pictures ) as opposed to the other ant groups of two nodal segments ( petiole and Postpetiolus ) and is clearly separated from the subsequent Gaster. The Stielchenglied as movable connection between the chest and abdomen is characteristic of all ants. It also allows them greater freedom of movement of the abdomen, one hand down, allowing the spraying of defensive secretions forward, on the other hand upwards, which is particularly preferred for the supply of fragrances. As with the Urameisen have all the female box over a poisonous sting, which can also be completely reduced, however. Larvae always develop into nude dolls.
Glands
The Metathorakaldrüse an existing gland in all species of ants, especially fungicidal and bactericidal secretions produced in the leaf-cutting ants containing various fungi inhibiting the growth of undesirable acids (e.g., phenylacetic acid and hydroxy- hexanoic acid ). In addition, especially the growth of the desired fungus are formed promoting substances in this gland.
Various glandular secretions form only in very small amounts. This can be useful as pheromones of communication. An extreme case forms the red ant Solenopsis richteri whose pheromone is even the smallest dilutions mile marker. Only in the genus Crematogaster there on the legs a Tibialdrüse, which also produces pheromones.
Larval development
The nodes ants, it is possible that larvae overwinter in the mother 's nest; in certain species even two years, which is normally at the ants not possible since the development of the stages of development to quickly vonstattengeht and these would therefore slip and freeze in the winter or starve, as all brood carers, as well as all the other ants in the winter torpor are. The red ants feed her, hatched shortly before hibernation, larvae with a substance that can delay and slow down the development of the larvae strongly. In the spring these larvae are fed on normal. Through this long development time only arise queens. What is the reason for this is not known. There are further fed only the amount of larvae, as the state needs queens, because there are usually too many overwintered larvae. At a certain time, all larvae are fed with this food entwicklungsverzögernden namely.
Dissemination
The best known representatives in Central Europe, the Large red ant ( Manica rubida ), the Red garden ant ( Myrmica rubra) and the dry grass - red ant ( Myrmica scabrinodis ). Many species of red ants are found only in tropical and subtropical areas, including the leaf-cutting ants ( genera Atta and Acromyrmex ), which are also limited to the two American continents. The leaf cutter ants do not feed on the leaves of which they cut pieces, but just chew these and use them as a substrate for a specific fungal culture that serves their diet.
Has been introduced from the tropics and subtropics to Central Europe, the Pharaoh ant ( Monomorium pharaonis ). This is very temperature sensitive and dies at 0 ° C, but it has adapted to life in heated buildings. The settlement can be done by twig nest formation.
System
The red ants are represented by more than 6,000 species worldwide and thus represent about half of all known species of ants. They are in the following tribes and genera subdivided (selection):
- Adelomyrmecini Adelomyrmex
- Baracidris
- Ankylomyrma
- Acromyrmex
- Apterostigma
- Atta
- † Attaichnus
- Cyatta
- Cyphomyrmex
- Mycetagroicus
- Mycetarotes
- Mycetophylax
- Mycetosoritis
- Mycocepurus
- Myrmicocrypta
- Pseudoatta
- Sericomyrmex
- Trachymyrmex
- Basiceros
- Creightonidris
- Eurhopalotrix
- Octostruma
- Protalaridris
- Rhopalothrix
- Talaridris
- Blepharidatta
- Wasmannia
- Cataulacus
- Cephalotes
- Procryptocerus
- Crematogaster
- Recurvidris
- Acanthognathus
- Colobostruma
- Daceton
- Epopostruma
- Mesostruma
- Microdaceton
- Orectognathus
- Pyramica
- Strumigenys
- Leptothorax
- Nesomyrmex
- Podomyrma
- Romblonella
- Temnothorax Temnothorax affinis
- Temnothorax unifasciatus
- Lenomyrmex
- Liomyrmex
- Melissotarsus
- Rhopalomastix
- Meranoplus
- † Parameranoplus
- Metapone
- Acanthomyrmex
- † Enneamerus
- Myrmecina
- Perissomyrmex
- Pristomyrmex
- † Stiphromyrmex
- Myrmicaria
- Eutetramorium
- Huberia
- Hylomyrma
- Manica (eg Manica rubida )
- Myrmica (eg Myrmica scabrinodis, Myrmica rubra)
- † Nothomyrmica
- Pogonomyrmex
- Secostruma
- Paratopula
- Ishakidris
- Phalacromyrmex
- Pilot Rochus
- Anisopheidole
- Aphaenogaster
- Chimaeridris
- Goniomma
- Kartidris
- † Lonchomyrmex
- Lophomyrmex
- Messor
- Ocymyrmex
- Oxyopomyrmex
- † Para phenotype Gaster
- Pheidole
- Carebara
- Solenopsis ( such as Solenopsis invicta )
- Monomorium (eg Monomorium pharaonis )
- Stegomyrmex
- Ancyridris
- Bariamyrma
- Calyptomyrmex
- Cyphoidris
- Dacatria
- Dacetinops
- Dicroaspis
- † Ilemomyrmex
- Indomyrma
- Lachnomyrmex
- Lasiomyrma
- Lordomyrma
- Proatta
- Rogeria
- Rostromyrmex
- Stenamma
- Tetheamyrma
- Vollenhovia
- Anergates
- Decamorium
- Rhoptromyrmex
- Strongylognathus
- Teleutomyrmex
- Tetramorium (such as Tetramorium caespitum )