Polyergus rufescens HNS. B.M.
Formica rufescens, Latr. HNS Hist. Nat. Fourm. 186. pl. vii. f. 38 [[queen]].
Losana, Form. Piem. 324.
Formica testacea, Fabr. HNS Syst. Piez. 400. 16 [[worker]]?
Nyl. Form. Fr. et d'Alger, p. 75 (note).
Polyergus rufescens, Latr. HNS Hist. Nat. Ins. et Crust, xiii. 256.
St. Farg. Hym. i. 198. 1.
Guer. et Perch. Gen. des Ins. t. 4. f. 1 [[male]], 2 [[queen]].
Schenck, Beschr. Nass. Ameis. 70. 137.
Polyergus rufescens HNS, Mayr. Form. Austr. 112. 1; Ungar. Ameis. p. 15.1.
Nyl. Form. Fr. et d'Alger. 74. 1.
Hab. France; Switzerland; Germany; Austria.
This is the species whose interesting habits are detailed by Huber, and which is so well known as the Slave-making Ant. Like the F. sanguinea HNS, it plunders the nests of various species, its communities being principally formed of the captives which it enslaves. It has not yet been found in this country, and appears to be rare even in the north of France; but in the south and also in Switzerland it does not appear to be uncommon.