| Iridomyrmex rufoniger | |
|---|---|
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| I. rufoniger worker specimen | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Dolichoderinae |
| Genus: | Iridomyrmex |
| Species: | I. rufoniger |
| Binomial name | |
| Iridomyrmex rufoniger (Lowne, 1865) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Iridomyrmex rufoniger is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex . It was described by Lowne in 1865. [1] The species is endemic to Australia and introduced to several other countries.
The species was first described by Lowne in 1865, and the species has three synonyms. This includes Iridomyrmex rufoniger domesticus (Forel, 1907), [2] Acantholepis mamillatus (Lowne, 1865), and Iridomyrmex rufoniger septentrionalis (Forel, 1902). [3] The species is classified in the genus Iridiomyrmex, which is in the subfamily Dolichoderinae.
The species is a part of the Iridomyrmex purpureus group, and is among the most familiar ant the Australian public is affiliated with. [4] A typical worker is a medium-sized ant in comparison to its relatives within its genus, and will have a broad head, with a blue or yellowish-green iridescence on the workers gaster. These ants in Sydney are different in variation and can be distinguished by their dark coloured appearance and small heads, which isn't normal when compared to other colonies elsewhere in Australia. [4]
Iridomyrmex rufoniger ants are abundant in every state and territory in Australia, although it is rare in the Northern Territory, to the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia (perhaps introduced) and was introduced to New Zealand after being intercepted at the ports of Auckland and Freyberg, but it has not been formally established in the country. [4] [5] Nests are numerous, and are in the soil and depending where they live, they can be a dominant species. [4] In Westonia, located in Western Australia are numerous colonies that have established themselves in mine dumps, but they are not common in surrounding bushland that has gone under rehabilitation. [4] Nests are commonly found in loose dirt and under stones. Based on collections, the ants can be found on elevations ranging from 5 – 1580 metres (16 feet - 5,183 ft), and the mean elevation range specimens were collected was 244 metres (800 ft). [6]
Workers forage nocturnally and diurnally, and will walk on eucalyptus trees to obtain nectar and honeydew, but they will also hunt for insects to bring back to the colony. [4] The ant tends a variety of species of insects, such as Saisettia oleae and the aphid Aphis hederae , and they also tend to the larvae of several butterfly species, including Jalmenus daemeli , Jalmenus evagoras , Jalmenus icilius and Ogyrus zosine . [4] The ants have been observed foraging on flowings in the genus Leptospermum and although the species is frequently encountered in the homes of Canberra, the ant is not considered a pest. [4]
Dolichoderinae is a subfamily of ants, which includes species such as the Argentine ant, the erratic ant, the odorous house ant, and the cone ant. The subfamily presents a great diversity of species throughout the world, distributed in different biogeographic realms, from the Palearctic, Nearctic, Afrotropical region and Malaysia, to the Middle East, Australian, and Neotropical regions.
Anonychomyrma is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae.
Iridomyrmex is a genus of ants called rainbow ants first described by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr in 1862. He placed the genus in the subfamily Dolichoderinae of the family Formicidae. It has 79 described species and five fossil species. Most of these ants are native to Australia; others are found in Asia and Oceania, and they have been introduced to Brazil, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates. Fossil species are known from China, France, and the United States.
The meat ant, also known as the gravel ant or southern meat ant, is a species of ant endemic to Australia. A member of the genus Iridomyrmex in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, it was described by British entomologist Frederick Smith in 1858. The meat ant is associated with many common names due to its appearance, nest-building behaviour and abundance, of which its specific name, purpureus, refers to its coloured appearance. It is among the best-known species of ant found throughout Australia; it occurs in almost all states and territories except for Tasmania. Its enormous distribution, aggression and ecological importance have made this ant a dominant species.
Ochetellus glaber is a species of ant native to Australia. A member of the genus Ochetellus in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, it was described by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr in 1862. Aside from Australia, O. glaber has been introduced to a number of countries, including China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States, where it has established itself in Hawaii and Florida. It has been found on Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Réunion and the Solomon Islands. Compared with other ants, O. glaber is a small species, with workers measuring 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in). Males are the smallest at 1.6 mm (0.063 in), while the queens measure 5.2–5.5 mm (0.20–0.22 in). The ant's colour ranges from brown to black.
Froggattella is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae. The genus contains two species found in Australia. Froggattella kirbii is fairly common, while Froggattella latispina is known only from two locations in South Australia.
Ochetellus is a genus of ants first described by Steve Shattuck in 1992. He placed it in the subfamily Dolichoderinae of the family Formicidae. The ants in this genus are small and black in colour; workers measure 1.75 to 3 millimetres in length, the males at around 1.6 millimetres (0.06 in) are smaller, and the queens are the largest, reaching 4 millimetres (0.16 in). There are seven described species and three described subspecies that mostly live in Australia in a wide variety of habitats, but some species are found in Asia. One species, Ochetellus glaber, has been introduced into New Zealand and the United States.
Liometopum apiculatum is a species of ant in the subfamily Dolichoderinae. Liometopum apiculatum ants are found in arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern United States and Mexico to Quintana Roo.
Iridomyrmex alpinus is a species of ant of the genus Iridomyrmex. It was described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011.
Iridomyrmex difficilis is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described in 2011, it is a widespread species in Australia as well as inhabiting the Torres Strait and off shorelines of Queensland.
Iridomyrmex exsanguis is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1907, the species is distributed nationwide in Australia.
Iridomyrmex hartmeyeri is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1907, the ant is a nocturnal forager, and it distributed in most of Australia.
Iridomyrmex innocens is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1907, the species is endemic to Australia, mainly confined in Western Australia, but the species is more common in areas with higher rainfalls within the Darling Ranges.
Iridomyrmex mayri is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1915, the species is endemic to Australia, these ants commonly nests under stones and rotting logs, and forage on tree trunks. The species also tends to larvae of Jalmenus evagoras butterflies.
Iridomyrmex minor is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1915, the ant is common in Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, and it is unlikely there are existing colonies in more southern Australian states. Nests have been found under bark, and is among the most likely ant to be encountered by the general public.
Iridomyrmex mjobergi is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1915, the species is among the most common of the genus, endemic to all states and territories in Australia, and even extends into New Guinea. Workers are not usually aggressive, and they have been observed foraging for foods like nectar and honeydew.
Iridomyrmex spodipilus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Shattuck in 1993, the ant is endemic to Australia, and specimens have only been found in from Fowlers Gap in New South Wales, while foraging on low shrub and grassland.
Iridomyrmex victorianus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1902, the species distributed to the east coast in Australia. The species usually takes an opportunity of using other nests constructed by larger ants, usually abandoned, and some were found in a bull ant nest.
Dolichoderus doriae is a species of ant in the genus Dolichoderus. It was described by Emery in 1887.
Media related to Iridomyrmex rufoniger at Wikimedia Commons