Formica difficilis
This record describes Formica difficilis (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Workers recognized by sparse occurrence of short, spatulate or distally flattened and broadened hairs on pronotum and vertex (occipital border) of head, and by having the head slightly shinier than the mesosoma. Queens uniform brownish yellow except for alary sclerites, shiny, and no larger than the largest workers.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Formicinae
- Tribe
- Formicini
- Genus
- Formica (Wood ants, mound ants, & field ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Native loamy or sandy grasslands, old fields, lightly grazed pasture, barrens.
Geographic Range
Eastern US, roughly co-extensive with the usual temporary host (during colony foundation), F. incerta .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Avidly tends aphids and membracids and visits extrafloral nectaries on prairie plants, also preys on (mostly) small, soft-bodied invertebrates. Attracted to both sweet and meat baits,
Life History
Colony foundation is by invasion of the small queens into colonies of F. incerta (whose workers they somewhat resemble), or by re-entering an established colony of its own species, followed by later colony fission.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Formica difficilis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Formica difficilis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager
Frequently Asked Questions About Formica difficilis
What is Formica difficilis?
Formica difficilis is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Formica difficilis?
workers 3.5-5.5 mm queens 5.5 mm
How do you identify Formica difficilis?
Workers recognized by sparse occurrence of short, spatulate or distally flattened and broadened hairs on pronotum and vertex (occipital border) of head, and by having the head slightly shinier than the mesosoma. Queens uniform brownish yellow except for alary sclerites, shiny, and no larger than the largest workers.
Where is Formica difficilis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Native loamy or sandy grasslands, old fields, lightly grazed pasture, barrens. |
| Range | Eastern US, roughly co-extensive with the usual temporary host (during colony foundation), F. incerta . |
What does Formica difficilis eat?
The diet of the Formica difficilis includes Avidly tends aphids and membracids and visits extrafloral nectaries on prairie plants, also preys on (mostly) small, soft-bodied invertebrates. Attracted to both sweet and meat baits,.
What is the life cycle of a Formica difficilis?
Colony foundation is by invasion of the small queens into colonies of F. incerta (whose workers they somewhat resemble), or by re-entering an established colony of its own species, followed by later colony fission.