Ant Taxonomy SubFamily- Dolichoderinae

Ant Mania > Family > SubFamily (Dolichoderinae)

About SubFamily Dolichoderinae

The subfamily Dolichoderinae is one of 4 main genus-rich subfamilies of ants, the rest being Formicinae, Myrmicinae, and Ponerinae. It has been discovered worldwide and owns some of the world’s largest invasive species, including:

1. Linepithema humile (the Argentine ant)
2. Technomyrmex albipes
3. Tapinoma melanocephalum
4. And Technomyrmex difficilis.

Most species of Dolichoderinae have known predators. Numerous also manage Hemiptera to accumulate honeydew or are associated with caterpillars. Nests are seen in different areas, including in the ground, under rocks and other objects, rotten and living wood, termite bumps, and fissures between stones. Some species (in the genus Arnoldius) are believed to set their nests by new queens intruding on the nests of other ants, exterminating the queen, and utilizing the apprehended workers to help raise their own progeny.

Dolichoderinae species are probably located in most parts of the world and all primary habitats. They also have a rich fossil past, with 20 known fossil genera, the 3rd richest after Myrmicinae (38 genera) and Formicinae (31 genera).

Relations between these genera have been well established (see Dolichoderinae Phylogeny). Dolichoderins lack a stinger but stay armed with defensive compounds constructed by the anal gland, a design unique to the subfamily. The origin of the pungent and often undesirable odors that considerable species generate once disturbed, crushed, or distressed. In multiple species, colonies have the possibility of being polygamous and/or polydomous.

Some are predators, but most seem to be generalized scavengers with a robust taste for carbohydrates emanating directly or indirectly from plant sources. In complement to founding colonies through newly mated queens, many generate new colonies through budding or fission. Most dolichoderins live independently; a few are social parasites of other members of their subfamily.

Dolichoderinae Identification

The mesosome is united with the abdomen by an exclusive differentiated segment, the petiole. Abdomen smooth, without constrictions between segments. The sting is absent, and the stomach tip has a cleft and does not have a round opening (acidopore)

Species of the Dolichoderinae are most often confused with those of the subfamily Formicinae, as both possess a unique segmented petiole, lack a stinger, and are consistently similar in size and overall body shape. In other words, this is especially true for smaller species such as Doleromyrma and Tapinoma. . However, dolichoderins constantly separate from formycin because there is a slit-like opening at the tip of the stomach, causing all of the formycin to have a small, round opening.

Male: Boudinot (2015) – The Dolichoderinae are uniquely identified by the telomere, which is fairly limited and does not extend anteroventrally to the basimer. The following mix of letters and numbers further identifies the males of the subfamily: oblique mesopleural groove present; 7 or fewer closed cells present on forewings; jugal lobe absent; petiole short or absent; abdominal segment III without petioles; Abdominal segment IV without cinctus between pre- and post-sclerites; Abdominal sternum IX without protuberances and edentulous. Additional letters and numbers to distinguish male Dolichoderinae from Aneuretinae and Formicinae are given in couplets 19 and 20 of the subfamily key.

Dolichoderinae is a subgenus of ants with classes such as

• The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile),
• Wandering ant,
• Odoriferous domestic ant,
• And cone ant.

The subfamily offers a massive prevalence of genera worldwide, spread in different biogeographic kingdoms, from the Palearctic, Nearctic and Afrotropical areas and Malaysia to the Middle East, Australia, and Neotropical zones.

This subfamily comprises a single petiole (no petiole post) and a crack-like cavity through which chemical combinations are released. Dolicoderin ants do not carry a stinger, unlike ants of other subgenera, such as Ponerinae and Myrmicinae, but are subject to defensive chemicals made by the anal gland.

Of the compounds made by dolicoderin ants, several terpenoids have been identified, including previously unknown iridomyrmecin, isoiridomyrmecin, and iridodial. These compounds cause the odor that ants of this subfamily give off when they are crushed or disturbed.

Dolichoderinae Classification

Classification

1 – Kingdom Animalia
2 – Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
3 – Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
4 – Class Insecta (Insects)
5 – Order Hymenoptera
6 – No Taxon (Aculeata – Ants, Bees, and Stinging Wasps)
7 – Superfamily Formicoidea (Ants)
8 -Family Formicidae (Ants)
9 – Subfamily Dolichoderinae (Odorous Ants)

Dolichoderinae Numbers

Five aboriginal species in North America:

• Dolichoderus (4 species)
• Dorymyrmex (14+)
• Forelius (2)
• Liometopum (3)
• Tapinoma (3 natives, one introduced).

Two introduced genera:
Linepithema (1)
Technomyrmex (1)

Dolichoderinae Size
Specimens have been identified that oscillate between 1.75mm and 5mm

Dolichoderinae Habitat
Diverse, but tend to prefer warm and/or xeric habitats. Some intrude on homes, particularly in chillier months.

Dolichoderinae Season
Warm months.

Dolichoderinae Food
All own a muscular pharynx, detailed proventriculus, and highly expansible crop, signifying support on a mainly liquid diet (honeydew, nectar), but multiple also prey on little arthropods or scavenge manure, carrion.

Dolichoderinae Life Cycle
Most own the “standard” ant life cycle of colony structure by a single queen that locks herself into a compartment and provides her first lineage on secretions elaborated from accumulated fat and lysing wing muscles. However, a number of social-parasite colony-founders are seen in the group, including several undescribed Dorymyrmex, nowadays being investigated collaboratively by myrmecologists at several organizations.

Dolichoderinae Remarks
These are named odorous ants because of the strong-smelling lactone-family of chemical products embellished in the anal glands of multiple genera. These are evidently employed especially defensively, and are fairly unique to collectors that break into the nests or trouble foraging columns of these ants.

The spelling of this sub-specie call Dolichoderinae could be mistaken with the nematode subfamily Dolichodorinae.

[FULL LIST OF Dolichoderinae ants]

Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)

Ghost Ant (Tapinoma melanocephalum)

Subfamilies Of Ants