photos 1–1000
Tetramorium cæspitum (Linnæus 1758) ☿ (Hymenoptera Formicoidea Formicidæ Myrmicinæ Crematogastrini)
[Tetramorium Mayr 1855: 587+†2 (IT: 20+†0) spp]
Parabiotic/lestobiotic of Lasius lasioides, Crematogaster scutellaris. Cfr. notes¹ over the above image.
Taxonomy of T. cæspitum s.l. is currently under investigation. It is common throughout Europe; the presence of a complex of morphologically nearly indistinguishable spp is hypothesized, especially on the basis of biomolecular data.
T. cæspitum tends to be coastal in North Europe but also inland on heath and on the open borders of woodland. Colonies are normally monogynous but populous with 1E4 or more ☿☿. This species is moderately aggressive, living by predation on other Arthropoda, scavenging and also from root aphid honeydew. Seeds of various herbs and grasses are often collected into the nest. Alatae are conspicuously large compared with ☿☿; they are developed in the early summer and fly in late VI & VII.
T. cæspitum is a common indoor pest in eastern North America, especially near the coast. Nests are frequently located under building foundations and ☿☿ forage for food inside. Once a food source is located, mass recruitment occurs along a well defined odor trail. Commonly known as "pavement ants", this species is often seen in late spring & early summer out on sidewalks in huge battles with neighboring colonies. Baits can be very effective in eliminating colonies within structures. In nature, colonies are often found nesting in soil under stones; Reticulitermes flavipes is a common prey.
NOTES
1. Same specimen, petiole sx side.
REFERENCES
Tetramorium cæspitum (Linnæus 1758) ☿ (Hymenoptera Formicoidea Formicidæ Myrmicinæ Crematogastrini)
[Tetramorium Mayr 1855: 587+†2 (IT: 20+†0) spp]
Parabiotic/lestobiotic of Lasius lasioides, Crematogaster scutellaris. Cfr. notes¹ over the above image.
Taxonomy of T. cæspitum s.l. is currently under investigation. It is common throughout Europe; the presence of a complex of morphologically nearly indistinguishable spp is hypothesized, especially on the basis of biomolecular data.
T. cæspitum tends to be coastal in North Europe but also inland on heath and on the open borders of woodland. Colonies are normally monogynous but populous with 1E4 or more ☿☿. This species is moderately aggressive, living by predation on other Arthropoda, scavenging and also from root aphid honeydew. Seeds of various herbs and grasses are often collected into the nest. Alatae are conspicuously large compared with ☿☿; they are developed in the early summer and fly in late VI & VII.
T. cæspitum is a common indoor pest in eastern North America, especially near the coast. Nests are frequently located under building foundations and ☿☿ forage for food inside. Once a food source is located, mass recruitment occurs along a well defined odor trail. Commonly known as "pavement ants", this species is often seen in late spring & early summer out on sidewalks in huge battles with neighboring colonies. Baits can be very effective in eliminating colonies within structures. In nature, colonies are often found nesting in soil under stones; Reticulitermes flavipes is a common prey.
NOTES
1. Same specimen, petiole sx side.
REFERENCES