Ant Identification and Distribution
The four most common subfamilies are Myrmicinae, Formicinae, Dolichoderinae and Ponerinae. The more uncommon ones are Amblyoponinae, Cerapachyinae, Ecitoninae, Ectatomminae, Proceratiinae, and Pseudomyrmecinae.
Let's get the Uncommon ones out of the way first.
Ecitoninae are our North American army ants. Though rarely found they're easily recognized, they're almost completely blind and have incredibly small eyes compared to the head. Myrmecos.net has them labeled as Doryline Section. Neivamyrmex is probably the best representative of what North American Army Ants look like. They have wingless queens that don't participate in nuptial flights. Males fly out to find other colonies, get captured by other colonies where mating then takes place within the nest. Colonies later divide once or twice a year, each group only having a single queen, which is a very low rate of reproduction for ants! For this reason they should not be kept in captivity. Simply observe them, take pictures if you like, and let them be. They are almost completely subterranean predators of other ant colonies and rarely come to the surface.
Ectatomminae is unique for North America because there is only one introduced genus represented in North America, Gnamptogenys. Notice the groves all over the body, the curved mandibles, how hard it is to tell if that's two waist segments.
Proceratiinae is another unique looking family because all its members have specially shaped abdomens. These are discrete predators found almost exclusively in leaf litter, wood mulch, and, though common, one has to go well out of their way to find them. These are specialized predators and the front facing gaster allows for easy stinging in the closed quarters environments members of this group are often found.
Pseudomyrmecinae is another one easy to ID because of how unique the ants look. The genus Pseudomyrmex is a good representative. Notice the huge eyes in comparison to the head, the long slender bodies, the two waist segments, and the fact that nearly all of them are associated with a plant. They are also known for having a painful sting so be careful around them.
Amblyoponinae and Cerapachyinae are both among the rarest ants to ever encounter. Both look similar to the subfamily Ponerinae. They all have a poorly defined second waist segment. Amblyoponinae tend to be specialized predators. They have a stinger, and mandibles with well defined teeth. Cerapachyinae I'm not even going to attempt to summarize. It's cryptic, unknown, and has probably been encountered less than a dozen times between California and Texas.
And now onto the big four. Identifying these deserves a topic in itself.
Myrmicinae, always have two waist segment! They have also adapted the ability to consume starch, Seeds! These are all your Aphaenogasters, Monomorium, Temnothorax, Tetramorium, Myrmica, Solenopsis, Messor, Pogonomyrmex, Pheidole! and so on. These are some of the largest genera in North America. They're a very diverse group, making up our harvester ants, scavengers, and even fungus growers: Atta, Acromyrmex, Cyphomyrmex, and Trachymyrmex. They have stingers but do not spray acid, nor do they produce odors defensibly. The closest thing they have to projectile warfare is Crematogaster using their flexible almost hair-like stinger as a paint brush to paint venom onto the enemy.
Let's get the Uncommon ones out of the way first.
Ecitoninae are our North American army ants. Though rarely found they're easily recognized, they're almost completely blind and have incredibly small eyes compared to the head. Myrmecos.net has them labeled as Doryline Section. Neivamyrmex is probably the best representative of what North American Army Ants look like. They have wingless queens that don't participate in nuptial flights. Males fly out to find other colonies, get captured by other colonies where mating then takes place within the nest. Colonies later divide once or twice a year, each group only having a single queen, which is a very low rate of reproduction for ants! For this reason they should not be kept in captivity. Simply observe them, take pictures if you like, and let them be. They are almost completely subterranean predators of other ant colonies and rarely come to the surface.
Ectatomminae is unique for North America because there is only one introduced genus represented in North America, Gnamptogenys. Notice the groves all over the body, the curved mandibles, how hard it is to tell if that's two waist segments.
Proceratiinae is another unique looking family because all its members have specially shaped abdomens. These are discrete predators found almost exclusively in leaf litter, wood mulch, and, though common, one has to go well out of their way to find them. These are specialized predators and the front facing gaster allows for easy stinging in the closed quarters environments members of this group are often found.
Pseudomyrmecinae is another one easy to ID because of how unique the ants look. The genus Pseudomyrmex is a good representative. Notice the huge eyes in comparison to the head, the long slender bodies, the two waist segments, and the fact that nearly all of them are associated with a plant. They are also known for having a painful sting so be careful around them.
Amblyoponinae and Cerapachyinae are both among the rarest ants to ever encounter. Both look similar to the subfamily Ponerinae. They all have a poorly defined second waist segment. Amblyoponinae tend to be specialized predators. They have a stinger, and mandibles with well defined teeth. Cerapachyinae I'm not even going to attempt to summarize. It's cryptic, unknown, and has probably been encountered less than a dozen times between California and Texas.
And now onto the big four. Identifying these deserves a topic in itself.
Myrmicinae, always have two waist segment! They have also adapted the ability to consume starch, Seeds! These are all your Aphaenogasters, Monomorium, Temnothorax, Tetramorium, Myrmica, Solenopsis, Messor, Pogonomyrmex, Pheidole! and so on. These are some of the largest genera in North America. They're a very diverse group, making up our harvester ants, scavengers, and even fungus growers: Atta, Acromyrmex, Cyphomyrmex, and Trachymyrmex. They have stingers but do not spray acid, nor do they produce odors defensibly. The closest thing they have to projectile warfare is Crematogaster using their flexible almost hair-like stinger as a paint brush to paint venom onto the enemy.
Formicinae, always have one waist segment! They have evolved to consume and store sugary foods. These are all the Prenolepis, Lasius, Formica, Camponotus, Brachymyrmex, Paratrechina, Myrmecocystus, Polyergus, and so on. These are the majority of the ants you see tending aphids, visiting flowers, collecting extra floral nectar from plants that excrete it. These sugars are collected and stored within replete workers in the colony, see Here. The plates that make up the gaster (abdomen) actually expand with the membrane as their social stomach swells with food. In some cases the sugars are converted into fats but the effect is the same. A similar effect happens with queen ants universally so don't confuse this with other subfamilies! They don't sting but can spray venom, or sometimes formic acid. Spraying acid is usually done in open wounds as a secondary action to biting. Some Formica species are known for spraying acid wildly into the air when disturbed. As an oddity to this subfamily some Lasius are actually called Citronella Ants because they produce a lemony odor when disturbed.
Ponerinae, these are the more common discrete foragers. The genus Ponera is a good representative and most often encountered. Though they appear to have one waist segment, technically they have two. The well defined one of the two is bulky and thick looking, coming up as high as the mesosoma and gaster it sits between. The second segment is much longer and almost looks like it's part of the gaster itself. Admittedly this is hard to recognize (Boloponera is a good example of this but not found in North America) Queens in this group tend to be worker-like but will differ in size somewhat.
Dolichoderinae, always have one waist segment! They have a lot in common with Formicinae because they look very similar. The main difference listed in "Urban Ants of North America and Europe" seems to be the tip of the abdomen has no hair around it.
This can be hard to notice though without the aid of a microscope. The shape of the head and placement of the eyes are also recognizable for this group. The heads to all these has has almost a sand paper-like texture to them. This group includes Dolichoderus, Dorymyrmex, Forelius, Tapinoma, and a few others listed below. They are sometimes called odorous ants, though many of them need to be squished in order to produce a smell. Like Formicinae they can also spray venom but it has more instant potency often producing a smell at the same time. The term "Ant Mace" comes from Forelius ants spraying directly in the eyes of other ants. Tapinoma sessile is probably the most commonly encountered of the group as it's known as The Odorous House Ant. Mysteriously enough colonies found in more urban settings tends to be much larger and have many more queens than those found in rural settings. This is very peculiar for a native species.
Hopefully by now you have a good idea of which families you need to look into for an Identification. From here you can potentially figure out which genus, and maybe species after that. "Ants of North America" features an excellence key in it if you're still having trouble. You may still need a microscope to figure things out though.
Listed below are all the recognized species of North America arranged by subfamily. Some genera are so large and diverse that species are placed into subgroups, (which are indicated in parentheses). Next to them is their known distribution as I have it listed by the regions map below.
Listed below are all the recognized species of North America arranged by subfamily. Some genera are so large and diverse that species are placed into subgroups, (which are indicated in parentheses). Next to them is their known distribution as I have it listed by the regions map below.
Distribution Map
Key
All Northern Regions also indicate those parts of Canada. I'm still trying to get a better map. Also used are Below America, which can indicate: Mexico, West Indies (Costa Rico, etc...)
Also note that some species enter a region but only slightly. For example a species might be found in all of the South West region but then has a population in Oregon. In this case the species would be labeled as "SW, NW (Oregon)" indicating that it is found in the North West but only in Oregon there. This is only done if the species is only found in one state.
Also note that some species enter a region but only slightly. For example a species might be found in all of the South West region but then has a population in Oregon. In this case the species would be labeled as "SW, NW (Oregon)" indicating that it is found in the North West but only in Oregon there. This is only done if the species is only found in one state.
Subfamily Example
Genus name (subgroup name if applicable) species name Distribution (State if applicable) Month of Nuptial Flight if known.
NOTE: This is a work in progress.
Subfamily Amblyoponinae
Prionopelta antillana South East (Florida)
(Formerly Amblyopone see Here.)
Stigmatomma degeneratum Mexico, Costa Rico
(Formerly Amblyopone see Here.)
Stigmatomma degeneratum Mexico, Costa Rico
Stigmatomma oregonensis South West, North West
Stigmatomma orizabanum South West
Stigmatomma pallipes SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Stigmatomma pallipes SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Stigmatomma trigonignathum South East
Stigmatomma zwaluwenburgi HA
Subfamily Cerapachyinae
Acanthostichus arizonensis South West (Arizona)
Acanthostichus punctiscapus South West (Arizona)
Acanthostichus texanus South West (Texas)
Cerapachys augustae South West
Cerapachys biroi HA,
Cerapachys davisi South West, South Central
Subfamily Dolichoderinae
Dolichoderus mariae SC, SE, NC, NE
Dolichoderus plagiatus SE, NC, NE
Dolichoderus pustulatus SC, SE, NC, NE
Dolichoderus taschenbergi SC, SE, NC, NE
Dorymyrmex bicolor South West, South Central
Dorymyrmex bossutus South East
Dorymyrmex bureni SC, SE
Dorymyrmex elegans South East (Florida)
Dorymyrmex flavopectus South East
Dorymyrmex flavus SW, SC, SE
Dorymyrmex grandulus SC, SE, NC, NE
Dorymyrmex insanus SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Dorymyrmex lipan South Central (Texas)
Dorymyrmex medeis South East, North East
Dorymyrmex paiute South West, North West
Dorymyrmex reginiculus South East (Florida)
Dorymyrmex smithi SW, SC, SE, NC
Dorymyrmex wheeleri South West, (Arizona)
Forelius mccooki South West, South Central
Forelius pruinosus SW, SC, SW, NW, NC
Linepithema humile HA, SW, SC, SE, Mexico,
Linepithema iniquum SW, SC, SE, NC, NE
Liometopum apiculatum SW, SC, NW
Liometopum luctuosum SW, SC, NW
Liometopum occidentale SW, NW
Ochetellus glaber HA, South East (Florida)
Tapinoma dimmocki ?
Tapinoma litorale SE (Florida)
Tapinoma melanocephalum HA, SE (Florida) CR
Tapinoma sessile SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Technomyrmex albipes HA, SE (Florida)
Technomyrmex difficilis SE, NW
Subfamily Ecitoninae
Labidus coecus South Central
Neivamyrmex agilis South West
Neivamyrmex andrei South West
Neivamyrmex baylori South Central (Texas)
Neivamyrmex californicus South West
Neivamyrmex carolinensis SW, SC, SE, NC, NE
Neivamyrmex fuscipennis South West, South Central
Neivamyrmex goyahkla South West (Arizona)
Neivamyrmex graciellae South West (Arizona) ?
Neivamyrmex harrisii South West, South Central
Neivamyrmex kiowapache SW, SC, NW, NC
Neivamyrmex leonardi SW, SC
Neivamyrmex mandibularis ?
Neivamyrmex melanocephalus South West (Arizona)
Neivamyrmex melshaemeri SC
Neivamyrmex microps South West (Arizona)
Neivamyrmex minor South West, South Central
Neivamyrmex mojave South West (California)
Neivamyrmex moseri South Central
Neivamyrmex ndeh South West (Arizona)
Neivamyrmex nigrescens SW, SC, SE, NC
Neivamyrmex nyensis South West
Neivamyrmex opacithorax SW, SC, SE, NC, NE
Neivamyrmex pauxillus South Central (Texas)
Neivamyrmex pilosus SW, SC
Neivamyrmex rugulosus South West (Arizona)
Neivamyrmex swainsonii SW, SC, SE
Neivamyrmex texanus SW, SC, SE, NE
Neivamyrmex wilsoni South West (California)
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii South Central (Texas)
Subfamily Ectatomminae
Gnamptogenys hartmani South Central
Gnamptogenys triangularis South East (Florida)
Subfamily Formicinae
Acropyga epedana South West (Arizona, New Mexico)
Anoplolepis gracilipes HA, Below America
Brachymyrmex depilis SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Brachymyrmex obscurior HA, SC, SE (Florida) indoor pest
Brachymyrmex patagonicus (SW, SC) South East (Florida)
"Carpenter Ants of North America and Canada" is an okay read but they only go over maybe 24 species and that's not the total number of species. Everything that follows after chapter 3 I found to be an absolute delight to read and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the darker side of this genus. Only about a third of all Camponotus actually nest in wood and even then maybe a dozen of those are even considered a pest species.
True Camponotus and Tanaemyrmex Group. Because there are few differences between these two groups in North America I've grouped them together. Tanaemyrmex are said to have longer heads than and look long faced, but this isn't consistent for all castes or species. Both groups are medium to large ants ranging from 6 to 20 mm.
Camponotus (Camponotus) novaeboracensis SC, NW, NC, NE
Door Ants major workers and queens have flattened heads that are used to block entrances.
Lesser Door Ants similar to regular Door Ants (Colobopsis) but the Clypeus is not as pronounced.
Small Carpenter Ants no flattened heads here. These are the compact forms of true Camponotus.
White Haired Carpenter Ant similar to Small Carpenter Ants (Myrmentoma) in shape and size but have many small white hairs all
over the body.
Bush Haired Carpenter Ant bushy hairs all over the body and parts of the legs.
Formica (exsecta) opaciventris SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (exsecta) ulkei NW, NC, NE
Formica (fusca) accreta SW, NW
Formica (fusca) aerata SW, NW
Formica (fusca) altipetens SW, NW, NC
Formica (fusca) argentea (2) SW, SE, NW, NC, NE
Formica (fusca) canadensis SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (fusca) foreliana SW (Arizona)
Formica (fusca) francoeuri SW (California)Formica (fusca) fuliginothorax (no images) Canada
Formica (fusca) fusca (2) SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Formica (fusca) fusca marcida SW (Arizona) Formica (fusca) glacialis NC, NE
Formica (fusca) gnava (2) SW, SC
Formica (fusca) hewitti SW, NW, NC, NE
Formica (fusca) lepida SW, NW
Formica (fusca) longipilosa SW (California) Formica (fusca) microphthalma SW (California)
Formica (fusca) moki (2) SW, NW (Arizona)
Formica (fusca) montana SC, NW, NC
Formica (fusca) neoclara (2) SW, SC, NW, NC, NE
Formica (fusca) neorufibarbis (2) SW, SC, NW, NC, NE
Formica (fusca) occulta SW, NW
Formica (fusca) pacifica SW, NW
Formica (fusca) podzolica (2) SW, NW, NC, NE, All of Canada, AlaskaFormica (fusca) sibylla SW (California and Nevada)
Formica (fusca) subaenescens SW, NW, NC, NE
Formica (fusca) subelongata SW, NW
Formica (fusca) subpolita SW, NW
Formica (fusca) subsericea SC, SE, NC, NEFormica (fusca) transmontanis SW, NW
Formica (fusca) xerophila (2) SW, NW
The Microgyna group is defined as follows, Workers are 3 to 9mm in length. Queens are shiny and never more than 5.5mm long and never larger than the largest workers in the colony. Bicolored with heads and mesosoma lighter than the gaster. From a side view the pronotum is evenly convex. All members of this group are social parasites of other Formica species.
Formica (microgyna) adamsi SW, NW, NC
Formica (microgyna) adamsi alpina SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (microgyna) alpina (1) (2) (3) SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (microgyna) densiventris (2) SW, NW
Formica (microgyna) difficilis SE, NC, NE
Formica (microgyna) dirksi NE (Main)
Formica (microgyna) impexa NC, NE,
Formica (microgyna) indianensis NC, NE
Formica (microgyna) knighti NC, NE
Formica (microgyna) microgyna SW, SC, NW, NCFormica (microgyna) morsei NE (Massachusetts)
Formica (microgyna) nepticula NC, NE
Formica (microgyna) nevadensis SW, NW
Formica (microgyna) postoculata NC, NE
Formica (microgyna) querquetulana SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Formica (microgyna) spatulata NW, NC
Formica (microgyna) talbotae NC, NE
Formica (rufa) aterrima (no images) SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) calviceps SW, SC
Formica (rufa) ciliata SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) coloradensis SW, NW
Formica (rufa) comata SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) criniventris SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) dakotensis SW, SC, NW, NC, NE
Formica (rufa) ferocula NC, NE (Illinois)
Formica (rufa) fossaceps SW, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) integra NC, NE Formica (rufa) integroides SW, NW
Formica (rufa) laeviceps SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) lugubris NE, Alaska, (All of Canada?)
Formica (rufa) mucescens SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) obscuripes SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) obscuriventris SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Formica (rufa) oreas SW, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) planipilis SW, SC, NC
Formica (rufa) prociliata NE, NC
Formica (rufa) propinqua SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) ravida SW, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) reflexa NC
Formica (rufa) subnitens SW, NW, NC
Formica (rufa) whymperi SW, NW
Formica (neogagates) bradleyi SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (neogagates) lasioides (2) SW, NW, NC, NE
Formica (neogagates) limata SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (neogagates) manni SW, NW
Formica (neogagates) neogagates (2) SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Formica (neogagates) oregonensis NW
Formica (neogagates) perpilosa (2) SW, SC, NW
Formica (neogagates) vinculans NC, NE
Formica (pallidefulva) archboldi SE (mainly Florida)
Formica (pallidefulva) biophilica SE, SC
Formica (pallidefulva) dolosa SE, SC, NE
Formica (pallidefulva) incerta SE, SC, NE, NC
Formica (pallidefulva) pallidefulva SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
(Synonym name Formica nitidiventris)
Formica (sanguinea) aserva (2) SW, SC, NW, NC, NE
Formica (sanguinea) creightoni SC, NC, NE
Formica (sanguinea) curiosa NW
Formica (sanguinea) emeryi SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (sanguinea) gynocrates (2) SW, SC, NW, NC, NE
Formica (sanguinea) obtusopilosa (2) SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (sanguinea) pergandei SE, NE
Formica (sanguinea) puberula SW, SC, NW, NC
Formica (sanguinea) rubicunda SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Formica (sanguinea) subintegra SC, SE, NC, NE
Formica (sanguinea) wheeleri SW, SC, NW, NC
Niger group (pronounced nyjer). Diurnal surface forager. Queens have no trouble starting colonies on their own.
Lasius (niger) alienus SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Lasius (niger) crypticus SW, NW, NC
Lasius (niger) neoniger SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Lasius (niger) niger South West, North West, Quebec
Lasius (niger) pallitarsis SW, NW, NC, Alaska,
Lasius (niger) sitiens SW (Arizona)
Lasius (niger) xerophilus South West (New Mexico)
Flavus group, formerly Cautolasius.
Lasius (flavus) fallax SW, NW, NC
Lasius (flavus) flavus SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Lasius (flavus) nearcticus SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Umbratus group, formerly Chthonolasius.
Lasius (umbratus) atopus South West (California)
Lasius (umbratus) humilis South West
Lasius (umbratus) minutus NC, NE
Lasius (umbratus) nevadensis South West (Nevada)
Lasius (umbratus) speculiventris SC, SE, NC, NE (New Jersey)
Lasius (umbratus) subumbratus South West, North West
Lasius (umbratus) umbratus SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Lasius (umbratus) vestitus SW, NW
Claviger group, formerly the genus Acanthomyops. Citronella ants get their name from the lemony odor they emit when disturbed. A few umbratus species do this too.
Lasius (claviger) arizonicus SW
Lasius (claviger) bureni North Central (Wisconsin)
Lasius (claviger) californicus SW
Lasius (claviger) claviger SW, SC, SE, NC, NE
Lasius (claviger) colei SW
Lasius (claviger) coloradensis SW, NW, NC
Lasius (claviger) creightoni SW, SC, NW, NC
Lasius (claviger) interjectus SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Lasius (claviger) latipes SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Lasius (claviger) murphyi SW, SE, NW, NC, NE,
Lasius (claviger) occidentalis SW, SC, NW, NC
Lasius (claviger) plumopilosus SE, NC, NE
Lasius (claviger) pogonogynus SW, SC, NW, NC, NE
Lasius (claviger) pubescens NC (Minnesota)
Lasius (claviger) subglaber SW, SC, SE, NC, NE
Lepisiota sp? HA
Myrmecocystus christineae South West (California)
Myrmecocystus colei South West (California)
Myrmecocystus creightoni South West (California)
Myrmecocystus depilis SW, SC
Myrmecocystus ewarti South West (California)
Myrmecocystus flaviceps South West
Myrmecocystus hammettensis SW, NW (Idaho)
Myrmecocystus kathjuli South West (California)
Myrmecocystus kennedyi SW, NW
Myrmecocystus koso South West
Myrmecocystus lugubris SW
Myrmecocystus melliger South West, South Central
Myrmecocystus mendax SW, SC
Myrmecocystus mexicanus SW, SC
Myrmecocystus mimicus SW, SC
Myrmecocystus navajo SW, SC
Myrmecocystus placodops SW, SC
Myrmecocystus pyramicus SW, NW
Myrmecocystus romainei SW, SC
Myrmecocystus semirufus SW, SC
Myrmecocystus snellingi SW (Nevada)
Myrmecocystus tenuinodis SW
Myrmecocystus testaceus SW, NW
Myrmecocystus wheeleri South West (California)
Myrmecocystus yuma SW
Myrmelachista ramulorum South East (Florida)
Nylanderia, all North American species of this genus used to be in the genus Paratrechina (John LaPolla, Seán Brady, and Steve Shattuck 2010). These are tiny ants that usually nesting among and foraging about leaf litter. Many species were imported from Asia by human commerce. It's not uncommon to find them nesting indoors, usually in green houses or indoor plants outside their normal range.
Nylanderia arenivaga SW, SC, SE, NC
Nylanderia austroccidua SW
Nylanderia bourbonica HA, SE
Nylanderia bruesii SW, SC
Nylanderia concinna SE
Nylanderia faisonensis SC, SE, NE,
Nylanderia flavipes NC, NE
Nylanderia fulva (Raspberry Crazy Ant) SC, SE
Nylanderia fulva (Raspberry Crazy Ant) SC, SE
Nylanderia guatemalensis (SC Texas) SE
Nylanderia hystrix South West
Nylanderia parvula SC, SE, NC, NE
Nylanderia phantasma South East (Florida)
Nylanderia pubens (SC Texas) SE,
Nylanderia terricola SW, SC, SE, NC
Nylanderia vaga HA, SE
Nylanderia vividula SW, SC, SE, Mexico
Nylanderia wojciki SE
Paratrechina: All but one new world species in this genus have been moved to Nylanderia (John LaPolla, Seán Brady, and Steve Shattuck 2010).
Paratrechina longicornis HA, SW, SE,
Plagiolepis alluaudi HA, South West (California Santa Catalina Island)
Polyergus breviceps SW, SC, NW, NC
Polyergus (lucidus) longicornis SE, NE
Polyergus (lucidus) lucidus SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Polyergus rufescens SW (California) undescribed and native to Eurasia.
Prenolepis imparis SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Subfamily Myrmicinae
Acromyrmex versicolor South West (California)
Anergates atratulus SE, SC, NE, NC, Quebec
Aphaenogaster ashmeadi SE
Aphaenogaster boulderensis SW, NW
Aphaenogaster carolinensis SE (Georgia)
Aphaenogaster cockerelli SW, SC, Mexico
Aphaenogaster flemingi SE (Florida)
Aphaenogaster floridana SE (Florida)
Aphaenogaster fulva SC, SE, NC, NE
Aphaenogaster huachucana SW
Aphaenogaster lamellidens SE, NE
Aphaenogaster mariae SC, SE, NC, NE
Aphaenogaster megommata SW, NW
Aphaenogaster miamiana SE (Florida)
Aphaenogaster mexicana Mexico
Aphaenogaster mutica NW, Mexico?
Aphaenogaster occidentalis SW, NW, (NC Nebraska)
Aphaenogaster patruelis SW (California)
Aphaenogaster patruelis carbonaria SW (California)
Aphaenogaster picea SE, NC, NE, Eastern Canada
Aphaenogaster punctaticeps SW, SC
Aphaenogaster rudis SC, SE, NC, NE, Eastern Canada
Aphaenogaster subterranea SW, Western Canada (odd distribution and Ant Web refers to it as a European species only, hmm)
Aphaenogaster tennesseensis SC, SE, NC, NE, Eastern Canada (social parasite to A. fulva)
Aphaenogaster texana SW, SC, SE, NC, NE *Doesn't have a formal page on Ant Web?
Aphaenogaster treatae SE, SC, NE, NC
Aphaenogaster uinta SW, NW
Aphaenogaster umphreyi SE (Florida)
Atta mexicana South West (Arizona)
Atta texana South Central (Texas)
Cardiocondyla emeryi HA, South East (Florida), Mexico
Cardiocondyla kagutsuchi HA
Cardiocondyla mauritanica South West (California)
Cardiocondyla minutior HA, SW, SE, CR
Cardiocondyla obscurior HA, South East (Florida) Mexico, CR
Cardiocondyla venustula HA, South East (Florida) Mexico
Cardiocondyla wroughtonii HA, South East (Florida)
Carebara longii South Central (Texas)
Cephalotes rohweri South West (Arizona)
Cephalotes texanus South Central (Texas)
Cephalotes varians South East (Florida)
Crematogaster ashmeadi South East, South Central
Crematogaster atkinsoni South East (Florida)
Crematogaster browni South West (Arizona)
Crematogaster californica South West (California)
Crematogaster cerasi SE, SC, NE, NC
Crematogaster coarctata South West (California)
Crematogaster colei South West, South Central
Crematogaster crinosa South Central (Texas)
Crematogaster dentinodis South West, South Central
Crematogaster depilis South West (California)
Crematogaster distans South Central (Texas)
Crematogaster emeryana South West, South Central
Crematogaster hespera South West (California)
Crematogaster isolata South West, South Central
Crematogaster laeviuscula South Central, North Central
Crematogaster larreae South Central (Texas)
Crematogaster lineolata SC, SE, NC
Crematogaster marioni South West (California)
Crematogaster minutissima South East (Florida)
Crematogaster missuriensis South East (Florida)
Crematogaster mormonum South West (California)
Crematogaster mutans South West (California)
Crematogaster navajoa South West, South Central
Crematogaster nocturna South West, South Central
Crematogaster obscurata South East (Florida)
Crematogaster opaca ?
Crematogaster opuntiae South West (Arizona)
Crematogaster pilosa South East (Florida)
Crematogaster pinicola South East (Florida)
Crematogaster punctulata ?
Crematogaster rifelna South Central (Texas)
Crematogaster smithi South West, South Central
Crematogaster torosa South West (Arizona)
Crematogaster vermiculata South East (Florida)
Cyphomyrmex flavidus South West (California)
Cyphomyrmex minutus South East (Florida)
Cyphomyrmex rimosus South East, South Central
Cyphomyrmex wheeleri South West (California)
Dolopomyrmex pilatus South West (Arizona)
Eurhopalothrix floridana South East, (Florida)
This genus is considered by some to be a junior synonym of the genus Basiceros, which does not occur much farther than the equator. Nicaragua seems to be their northern limit in North America.
Formicoxenus chamberlini South West, North West
Formicoxenus diversipilosus North West (Washington)
Formicoxenus hirticornis North West, North Central
Formicoxenus provancheri North East (Connecticut)
Formicoxenus quebecensis North East (?)
Harpagoxenus canadensis Canada Quebec
Leptothorax acervorum Alaska
Leptothorax calderoni South West (California)
Leptothorax crassipilis SW, SC, NW, NC
Leptothorax faberi ? Canada
Leptothorax muscorum Alaska, North West, South West
Leptothorax paraxenus ? Canada
Leptothorax pocahontas ? Canada
Leptothorax retractus Canada Quebec
Leptothorax sphagnicola Canada Quebec
Leptothorax wilsoni Alaska, Alberta Canada
Manica bradleyi South West (California)
Manica hunteri North West
Manica invidia South West, North West
Manica parasitica South West (California)
Messor andrei South West (California)
Messor chamberlini South West (California)
Messor chicoensis South West (California)
Messor lariversi South West (Nevada)
Messor lobognathus South West, South Central
Messor pergandei South West, South Central
Messor smithi South West
Messor stoddardi SW (California, Baja California)
Monomorium cyaneum South Central (Texas)
Monomorium destructor HA, South East, North East
Monomorium ebeninum ? Southern Mexico
Monomorium emarginatum North East
Monomorium emersoni South West (Arizona)
Monomorium ergatogyna South West
Monomorium floricola HA, South East (Florida) Mexico, CR
Monomorium liliuokalanii HA
Monomorium minimum SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Monomorium pergandei North East (District of Columbia)
Monomorium pharaonis HA, SW, SE, NW, Mexico
Monomorium sechellense HA,
Monomorium talbotae SW, SC, NW, NC, NE
Monomorium trageri South East, North East
Monomorium viridum South East, North East (Formerly M. viride)
Mycetosoritis hartmanni SW, SC, SE
Myrmecina americana SW, SC, SE
Myrmica alaskensis Alaska
Myrmica americana SW, NC, NE
Myrmica brevispinosa Alaska, SW, NW, NC
Myrmica colax South Central (Texas)
Myrmica crassirugis South West, South Central
Myrmica detritinodis North East, North Central
Myrmica discontinua South West (California)
Myrmica emeryana South East (North Carolina)
Myrmica fracticornis North East
Myrmica glacialis South West (California)
Myrmica hamulata South West, South Central
Myrmica incompleta South West, North West
Myrmica lampra Alaska (worker-less parasite of M. alaskensis)
Myrmica latifrons SW, NC, NE
Myrmica lobifrons Alaska
Myrmica monticola North Central
Myrmica nearctica SW, SC, NW, NC (Colorado)
Myrmica pinetorum SC, NC, NE
Myrmica punctinops South West (California)
Myrmica punctiventris SE, NE, NC
Myrmica quebecensis Quebec
Myrmica rubra ? Hahahah! North East
Myrmica ruginodis ?
Myrmica rugiventris South East
Myrmica semiparasitica SC, SE, NC, NE
Myrmica spatulata Ontario, South Central
Myrmica striolagaster South West (Arizona)
Myrmica tahoensis South West
Myrmica wheeleri South West (Arizona)
Myrmica wheelerorum South West, South Central
Myrmica whymperi ?
Nesomyrmex wilda South Central (Texas)
Pheidole absurda South Central (Texas)
Pheidole adrianoi South East (Florida)
Pheidole artemisia SW, NW, (Utah)
Pheidole aurea South Central (Texas)
Pheidole barbata South West (California)
Pheidole bicarinata SW, SC, SE, NE
Pheidole bureni South Central (Texas)
Pheidole californica South West, North West
Pheidole carrolli South East (Florida)
Pheidole casta South Central (Texas)
Pheidole cavigenis South West (Arizona)
Pheidole cerebrosior South West (New Mexico)
Pheidole ceres South West
Pheidole clementensis South West (California)
Pheidole clydei South West
Pheidole cockerelli South West
Pheidole coloradensis SW, SC, NW, NC (Colorado)
Pheidole constipata ? South Central (Texas)
Pheidole crassicornis South West, South East
Pheidole creightoni South West
Pheidole davisi South East, North East
Pheidole dentata SC, SE, NE
Pheidole dentigula SC, SE, NE
Pheidole desertorum South West
Pheidole diversipilosa South West, South East
Pheidole elecebra SW, SC, NW, NC (Colorado)
Pheidole fervens HA, South West (California)
Pheidole flavens Below America
Pheidole floridana South Central, South East
Pheidole furtiva South West (Arizona)
Pheidole gilvescens South West (Nevada)
Pheidole grundmanni SW, NW, (Utah)
Pheidole hoplitica South Central (Texas)
Pheidole humeralis South Central (Texas)
Pheidole hyatti South West
Pheidole inquilina North Central (Nebraska)
Pheidole juniperae South West (Arizona)
Pheidole lamia South Central, South East
Pheidole littoralis South East (Florida)
Pheidole macclendoni South Central (Texas)
Pheidole marcidula South West, South Central
Pheidole megacephala NA, South East (Florida) CR
Pheidole mera South Central (Texas)
Pheidole metallescens South Central, South East
Pheidole micula South West
Pheidole militicida South West
Pheidole moerens HA, NW, SW, SC, SE, PR
Pheidole morrisii South Central, South East
Pheidole nuculiceps South Central (Texas)
Pheidole obscurithorax South Central, South East
Pheidole obtusospinosa South West (Arizona)
Pheidole pacifica South West (California)
Pheidole paiute South West
Pheidole pelor South Central (Texas)
Pheidole perpilosa South West (Arizona)
Pheidole pilifera SW, SC, NW, NC, NE
Pheidole pilosior South Central (Texas)
Pheidole pinealis South Central (Texas)
Pheidole porcula South Central (Texas)
Pheidole portalensis South West (Arizona)
Pheidole psammophila Below America (Mexico)
Pheidole rhea South West (Arizona)
Pheidole rufescens South Central
Pheidole rugulosa South West (New Mexico)
Pheidole sciara South West (New Mexico)
Pheidole sciophila South West
Pheidole senex SW, SC, NW, NC
Pheidole sitiens South Central (Texas)
Pheidole soritis South West, South Central
Pheidole spadonia South West (Arizona)
Pheidole teneriffana South West (California)
Pheidole tepicana South West, South Central
Pheidole tetra South Central
Pheidole texana South Central (Texas)
Pheidole titanis South West (Arizona)
Pheidole tysoni SW, SE, NE
Pheidole vallicola South West (Arizona)
Pheidole virago South West (Arizona)
Pheidole vistana South West (California) long legs!
Pheidole xerophila South West
Pheidole yaqui South West (California)
Pogonomyrmex anergismus South West (New Mexico)
Pogonomyrmex anzensis South West (California)
Pogonomyrmex apache South West, South Central
Pogonomyrmex badius South Central, South East
Pogonomyrmex barbatus South West, South Central
Pogonomyrmex bicolor South West (Arizona) below America
Pogonomyrmex bigbendensis South Central (Texas)
Pogonomyrmex brevispinosus South West (California)
Pogonomyrmex californicus South West, SC, below America
Pogonomyrmex colei South West (Nevada)
Pogonomyrmex comanche South Central
Pogonomyrmex desertorum South West, SC below America
Pogonomyrmex huachucanus South West (Arizona)
Pogonomyrmex imberbiculus SW, SC, below America
Pogonomyrmex magnacanthus South West (California)
Pogonomyrmex maricopa South West, SC
Pogonomyrmex montanus South West (California)
Pogonomyrmex occidentalis SW, SC, NW
Pogonomyrmex pima South West (Arizona)
Pogonomyrmex rugosus South West, SC
Pogonomyrmex salinus South West, North West
Pogonomyrmex subdentatus South West
Pogonomyrmex subnitidus South West (California)
Pogonomyrmex tenuispinus South West (California)
Pogonomyrmex texanus South Central (Texas)
Protomognathus americanus SC, SE, NC, NE
*slave making ant to Temnothorax ambiguous, T. curvispinosus and T. longispinosus
Pyramica abdita SC, SE, NC, NE
Pyramica angulata SC, SE, NC, NE
Pyramica apalachicolensis South East (Florida)
Pyramica archboldi South East (Florida)
Pyramica arizonica South West (Arizona)
Pyramica bimarginata North Central (Illinois)
Pyramica boltoni South East (Florida)
Pyramica bunki SE, NE
Pyramica californica South West (Florida)
Pyramica carolinensis SE, NE
Pyramica chiricahua South West (Arizona)
Pyramica cloydi SC, SE, NC, NE
Pyramica clypeata South East (Florida)
Pyramica creightoni SC, SE
Pyramica deyrupi South East (Florida)
Pyramica dietrichi SC, SE
Pyramica eggersi SE (Florida) below America
Pyramica filirrhina SE, NE
Pyramica filitalpa South Central (Arkansas)
Pyramica gundlachi SE (Florida) below America
Pyramica hexamera SC, SE
Pyramica hyalina North Central, North East
Pyramica inopina South East (Florida)
Pyramica laevinasis South Central, South East
Pyramica margaritae SE (Florida) below America
Pyramica membranifera HA, SC, SE
Pyramica memorialis SC, SE, NC, NE
Pyramica metazytes South Central (Louisiana)
Pyramica missouriensis South Central, South East
Pyramica ohioensis SC, SE, NC, NE
Pyramica ornata SC, SE, NC, NE
Pyramica pergandei SC, SE, NC, NE
Pyramica pilinasis SC, SE, NC, NE
Pyramica pulchella SE, NE
Pyramica reflexa SE, NC, NE
Pyramica reliquia South West (Florida)
Pyramica rohweri ?
Pyramica rostrata SC, SE, NE
Pyramica talpa SC, SE, NC, NE
Pyramica wrayi South East (Florida)
Rogeria creightoni SC, Mexico
Rogeria foreli CR, PR
Solenopsis abdita South East (Florida)
Solenopsis amblychila South West
Solenopsis aurea South West, South Central
Solenopsis carolinensis South East, North East
Solenopsis catalinae ?
Solenopsis corticalis below America
Solenopsis geminata MA, SC, SE, Mexico, CR, PR
Solenopsis globularia South Central, South East
Solenopsis invicta SW, SC, SE
Solenopsis krockowi South West (Arizona)
Solenopsis molesta SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Solenopsis nickersoni South East (Florida)
Solenopsis papuana HA
Solenopsis pergandei South East (Florida)
Solenopsis phoretica ?
Solenopsis picta SC, SE, NE
Solenopsis pilosula below America
Solenopsis puncticeps South Central (Texas)
Solenopsis richteri SC, SE (Mississippi)
Solenopsis salina South West (California)
Solenopsis subterranea below America
Solenopsis tennesseensis SW, SE
Solenopsis texana SC, SE, NE
Solenopsis tonsa SE (Florida)
Solenopsis truncorum SW, SC, SE,
Solenopsis validiuscula South West (Nevada)
Solenopsis xyloni SC, SW
Stenamma brevicorne North Central (Ohio)
Stenamma californicum South West (California)
Stenamma chiricahua South West (Arizona)
Stenamma diecki SW, NW
Stenamma dyscheres SW (California)
Stenamma exasperatum SW (California)
Stenamma fovolocephalum South Central (Mississippi)
Stenamma heathi SW (California)
Stenamma huachcanum ?
Stenamma impar North East
Stenamma meridionale SC, SE, NE
Stenamma punctatoventre SW, NW
Stenamma schmittii SE, NE
Stenamma sequoiarum SW, NW
Stenamma smithi SW (California)
Stenamma snellingi SW, NW
Stenamma wheelerorum South West (Nevada)
Strumigenys boneti South Central (Texas) below America
Strumigenys emmae HA, South East (Florida)
Strumigenys godeffroyi HA
Strumigenys lewisi HA
Strumigenys lanuginosa South East (Florida) below America
Strumigenys louisianae SC, SE, below America
Strumigenys rogeri HA, SE (Florida) CR
Strumigenys silvestrii SW, SC, SE, below America
Temnothorax (Myrafant) adustus below America
Temnothorax allardycei SE (Florida)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) ambiguus NE
Temnothorax (Myrafant) andersoni SC (Texas)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) andrei SW, NW
Temnothorax (Myrafant) bestelmeyeri SW (New Mexico)
Temnothorax bradleyi SC, SE
Temnothorax (Myrafant) bristoli SC (Texas)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) carinatus SC (Texas)
Temnothorax (Myrafant) chandleri SW (California)
Temnothorax (Myrafant) cokendolpheri SW (New Mexico)
Temnothorax (Myrafant) coleenae SW (New Mexico)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) curvispinosus SC, SE, NC, NE
Temnothorax (Mychothorax) duloticus NC
Temnothorax (Myratant) emmae SW
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) furunculus SW, SC, NW, NC
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) gallae SW (California)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) hispidus SC (Texas)
Temnothorax (Myrafant) josephi SW
Temnothorax (Myrafant) liebi SC (Texas)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) longispinosus SE, NE
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) minutissimus SE, NC, NE
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) neomexicanus SW
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) nevadensis SW, NW
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) nitens SW, SC, NW
Temnothorax (Myrafant) obliquicanthus SW
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) obturator SC (Texas)
Temnothorax (Myrafant) oxynodis SW (California)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) palustris SE
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) pergandei SW, SC, SE
Temnothorax (Leptothorax?) politus SW
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) rudis SW, NW
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) rugatulus SW, NW
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) schaumii SE, NE
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) schmittii ?
Temnothorax silvestrii SW (Arizona)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) smithi SC, SE
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) stenotyle SW (Arizona)
Temnothorax subditivus SC (Texas) below America
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) terrigena SC (Texas)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) texanus SE (Florida)
Temnothorax (Antillaemyrmex) torrei SE (Florida)
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) tricarinatus SW, SC, NW, NC
Temnothorax (Leptothorax) tuscaloosae SC, SE
Temnothorax (Myrafant) whitfordi SW,
Tetramorium bicarinatum HA, SW, SC, SE, CR
Tetramorium species E. SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE, Canada
Tetramorium caldarium SE, Hawaii
Tetramorium hispidum SW (Arizona)
Tetramorium insolens HA, SW (California)
Tetramorium lanuginosum SW, Mexico
Tetramorium pacificum ?
Tetramorium simillimum HA, SE (Florida) CR
Tetramorium spinosum SW, SC
Tetramorium tonganum HA
Tetramorium tsushimae SC, SE, NC
Trachymyrmex arizonensis SW (Arizona)
Trachymyrmex carinatus below America
Trachymyrmex desertorum SW (Arizona)
Trachymyrmex jamaicensis SE (Florida)
Trachymyrmex neomexicanus SW
Trachymyrmex nogalensis SW (Arizona)
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis SW, SC, SE, NC, NE
Trachymyrmex turrifex SC (Texas)
Vollenhovia emeryi SE, NE
Wasmannia auropunctata HA, SE (Florida) Mexico, CR
Xenomyrmex floridanus SE (Florida)
Subfamily Ponerinae
Ants in this subfamily can produce both wingless and winged queens.
Anochetus mayri South East (Florida)
Cryptopone gilva SC, SE
Hypoponera gleadowi SE, NE
Hypoponera inexorata SW, SC, SE
Hypoponera opaciceps HA, SW, SC, SE, CR
Hypoponera opacior SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Hypoponera punctatissima HA, SW, SC, SE, NC, CR
Hypoponera zwaluwenburgi HA,
Leptogenys elongata SW, SC, SE
Leptogenys falcigera HA,
Leptogenys manni South East (Florida)
Odontomachus brunneus South East
Odontomachus clarus SW, SC, SE, Mexico
Odontomachus haematodus South East (Florida)
Odontomachus relictus South East (Florida)
Odontomachus ruginodis SC, SE
Pachycondyla chinensis SE, NE
Pachycondyla harpax SC
Pachycondyla stigma SE
Pachycondyla villosa South Central (Texas)
Platythyrea punctata SC, SE
Ponera exotica SC, SE
Ponera pennsylvanica SW, SC, SE, NW, NC, NE
Ponera swezeyi HA,
Subfamily Proceratiinae
Discothyrea testacea South East, North East
Proceratium californicum South West (California)
Proceratium chickasaw SC,SE
Proceratium compitale SC (Texas) below America
Proceratium crassicorne SE, NE
Proceratium creek SC, SE
Proceratium croceum SC, SE
Proceratium pergandei SE (Florida)
Proceratium silaceum SE, NE
Subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae
Pseudomyrmex apache South West
Pseudomyrmex caeciliae SC (Texas) below America
Pseudomyrmex cubaensis South East (Florida)
Pseudomyrmex ejectus SE (Florida) below America
Pseudomyrmex elongatus SE (Florida) below America
Pseudomyrmex gracilis HA, SC, SE, Mexico, CR
Pseudomyrmex leptosus South East (Florida)
Pseudomyrmex pallidus SW, SC, SE, below America
Pseudomyrmex seminole SC, SE, below America
Pseudomyrmex simplex SE (Florida) below America
