Formica gnava
This record describes Formica gnava (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This is an aggressive species for the fusca group, which releases copious amounts of noisomely detectable formic acid and other chemicals when the nest is disturbed. Nonetheless, it is host to a Mexican and Arizonan Polyergus species, P. topoffi
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
Upper Sonoran vegetation, especially riparian woodland facies, 1450-1650m - mesquite riparian woodland at lower elevation, riparian oak woodland, oak-pine-juniper and oak-madrone woodland, conifer woodlands higher.
Geographic Range
Texas to Arizona, south (and probably higher in elevation) into mountains in Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
Workers forage in the morning and mid-afternoon to dusk on warm days, spring to fall. Mating flights are in July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: An active predator of various arthropods, also gathers honeydew and nectar.
Life History
Colony foundation is independent, usually by single queens, after early monsoon season mating flights.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Gnava is Latin for diligent or busy.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Formica gnava. 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 gnava (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Gruber; Additional contributions by James C. Trager , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Formica gnava
What is Formica gnava?
Formica gnava is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Formica gnava?
workers, 4.5-6 mm queens, males 8-9 mm
Where is Formica gnava found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Upper Sonoran vegetation, especially riparian woodland facies, 1450-1650m - mesquite riparian woodland at lower elevation, riparian oak woodland, oak-pine-juniper and oak-madrone woodland, conifer woodlands higher. |
| Range | Texas to Arizona, south (and probably higher in elevation) into mountains in Mexico. |
What does Formica gnava eat?
The diet of the Formica gnava includes An active predator of various arthropods, also gathers honeydew and nectar..
When is Formica gnava active?
Formica gnava: seasonal activity - Workers forage in the morning and mid-afternoon to dusk on warm days, spring to fall. Mating flights are in July..
What is the life cycle of a Formica gnava?
Colony foundation is independent, usually by single queens, after early monsoon season mating flights.