Formicoxenus Mayr

Ward, P. S., 2005, A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 936, pp. 1-68 : 32

Genus Formicoxenus Mayr

A single species, F. diversipilosus (M. Smith) occurs in northern California, where it lives as a “guest­ant” in the mound nests of species in the Formica rufa ­group, such as F. i n t e ­ groides Wheeler and F. obscuripes Forel. Colonies of Formicoxenus occupy dead twigs within the larger mound nests, and apparently scavenge organic material gathered by the host ant. References: Alpert and Akre ( 1973), Bolton ( 2003), Buschinger ( 1979 a), Francoeur et al. ( 1985), Lenoir et al. ( 1997), Smith ( 1939 c), Snelling ( 1965 a).