Formica subsericea
This record describes Formica subsericea (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Recognizable by its slightly silky sheen (as the specific epithet suggests) and rounded rear margin of the head. --James C. Trager Ellison et al. 2012 key Formica subsericea from F. glacialis and F. podzolica (for New England): The length of the antennal scape is longer than the length of the head....subsericea ...... shorter.............. other 2 spp. This is not absolutely true: Francoeur (1973) goes into great detail for the fusca group of Formica. The scape length of glacialis can exceed the head length (many specimens) and the scape length can equal the head length in subsericea (few specimens) (Fig. 269) A similar situation for podzolica (Fig. 289). However, there is no overlap between subsericea and the other 2 spp. when the scape length exceeds the head length by 0.1 mm. In this NB specimen the scape length exceeds the head length by 0.18 mm which puts the ant way into subsericea territory: By a considerable margin the most abundant and widely distributed black Formica east of the Rocky Mountains -- James C. Trager
Wikipedia reference for Formica subsericea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formica_subsericea.
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
Geographic Range
Discover Life Global Map
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Formica subsericea Say, 1836
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Formica subsericea. 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 subsericea (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Tony-2 , Vox Sciurorum , ceiseman
Frequently Asked Questions About Formica subsericea
What is Formica subsericea?
Formica subsericea is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Formica subsericea?
Recognizable by its slightly silky sheen (as the specific epithet suggests) and rounded rear margin of the head. --James C. Trager Ellison et al. 2012 key Formica subsericea from F. glacialis and F. podzolica (for New England): The length of the antennal scape is longer than the length of the head....subsericea ...... shorter.............. other 2 spp. This is not absolutely true: Francoeur (1973) goes into great detail for the fusca group of Formica. The scape length of glacialis can exceed the head length (many specimens) and the scape length can equal the head length in subsericea (few specimens) (Fig. 269) A similar situation for podzolica (Fig. 289). However, there is no overlap between subsericea and the other 2 spp. when the scape length exceeds the head length by 0.1 mm. In this NB specimen the scape length exceeds the head length by 0.18 mm which puts the ant way into subsericea territory:
Where is Formica subsericea found?
Range: Discover Life Global Map