Tetramorium atratulum (Schenck, 1852)

Ivanov, Kaloyan, 2016, Exotic ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Ohio, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 51, pp. 203-226 : 214

Tetramorium atratulum (Schenck, 1852)

Distribution in Ohio.

Records from western and northeastern Ohio. Counties: Ashtabula (material examined: North Kingsville Sand Barrens, 20.vii.-11.viii.2007, leg. T. Pucci., Malaise trap, CMNH); Cuyahoga (material examined: Cleveland, Cleveland State University, main campus, 10.v.2007 [KI 1730], leg. K. Ivanov), Geauga (material examined: Observatory Park, 20.viii.2010, leg. E. Neff, CMNH), and Shelby ( Coovert 2005 as Anergates atratulus (Schenck, 1852)), (Fig. 3 ).

Where found/Habitat.

Along with host Tetramorium caespitum (see habitat description below).

Origin.

Europe.

Natural history.

This workerless inquiline social parasite is rarely observed and collected in both its native and introduced ranges, presumably because of its parasitic lifestyle or simply because it is indeed rare. This species’ known distribution includes Europe and North America broadly following that of its host Tetramorium caespitum . In North America it is mostly found in the eastern part of the continent ( Dash and Sanchez 2009). The pupoid wingless males are found only inside the host nests while the queens can be easily recognized by their small size and the unique, conspicuous median longitudinal depression on the dorsal surface of the gaster ( Fisher and Cover 2007).

Colonies consist of males and females that live with their hosts on which they rely for work and food. Unlike many other obligate social parasites, queens of this species are adopted by queen-less host colonies ( Buschinger 2009). As such every parasitized colony has a limited lifespan determined by the lifespan of the youngest host members present. See Wheeler (1908) and Francoeur and Pilon (2011) for excellent natural history notes and images.

My only encounter with this species in Ohio was in downtown Cleveland in early May 2007 when my attention was attracted by a single dealate queen which was swiftly running on the soil surface exploring exposed entrances to what later turned out to be Tetramorium cf. caespitum colonies. I was unable to observe any interactions between the two species in the short period of time before I collected the specimen. The location where this observation occurred is urban and heavily dominated by impervious surfaces, including pavement and mowed grass, interspersed with a multitude of non-native flowering plants and few scattered crab apples ( Malus sp.), serviceberries ( Amelanchier sp.), and tulip trees ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.).

Figures

Figure 3. Distribution of Cardiocondyla obscurior (5), Monomorium pharaonis (6), Pheidole bilimeki (7), Tetramorium atratulum (8), and Hypoponera ragusai (9) in Ohio.