| Formica neoclara | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Formicinae |
| Genus: | Formica |
| Species: | F. neoclara |
| Binomial name | |
| Formica neoclara Emery, 1893 | |
Formica neoclara is a species of ant in the family Formicidae. [1] [2] [3] [4] It is a generalist that has been known to have mutualistic relationships with 42 different species of aphids. [5]
Formica is a genus of ants of the family Formicidae, including species commonly known as wood ants, mound ants, thatching ants, and field ants. Formica is the type genus of the Formicidae, and of the subfamily Formicinae. The type species of genus Formica is the European red wood ant Formica rufa. Ants of this genus tend to be between 4 and 8 mm long. Ants belonging to the Formica genus possess a single knob or bump located between their thorax and abdomen. These ants primarily feed on honeydew, a sugary liquid produced by aphids. Formica ants appear to take on a shepherding role with smaller aphids, relocating them to different parts of plants to ensure a continuous food source for the aphids. By doing so, the ants can establish a relatively sustainable honeydew supply for both themselves and their colony.
Formica perpilosa is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica neorufibarbis is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica podzolica is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica oreas is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica integra is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica gagatoides is a species of ant in the family Formicidae. It is found in Europe.
Formica puberula is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica oregonensis is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica rubicunda is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica lasioides is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica integroides, also known as the Vinegar Ant, is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica aerata, the grey field ant, is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica aserva is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica nepticula is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica querquetulana is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica limata is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica francoeuri is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Formica manni is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.
Rabdophaga salicisbrassicoides, known generally as the willow rosette gall midge or willow cabbage gall midge, is a species of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae. Their galls and larvae thrive in association with the mutualistic relationship between Formica neoclara and Chaitophorus aphids found on their host species Salix exigua. The larva overwinter in their galls, and adults emerge in late April.