Western Velvety Tree Ant

Liometopum occidentale

The Western Velvety Tree Ant is a small, shiny black ant that loves to climb trees. They are often seen working together to build their homes in the bark of trees and are very busy little creatures!

Hábitat: Forests

Aspecto

The Western Velvety Tree Ant is a medium-sized ant, typically dark brown to black, often with a reddish-brown head and thorax. Its body has a dense covering of fine, short hairs, giving it a soft, velvety appearance. This ant is distinguished by its body shape and distinct strong odor when disturbed.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenHymenopteraFamiliaFormicidaeGéneroLiometopum

Western Velvety Tree Ant

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

If squished, these ants release a strong smell like blue cheese or citronella!

Some colonies can grow to have more than 80,000 busy worker ants!

Their huge colonies can sometimes spread across several different trees!

They use tiny hairs on their bodies to help them climb smooth surfaces like glass!

Habilidades especiales

Western Velvety Tree Ant can release a strong, smelly liquid when disturbed, deterring predators with its unpleasant odor.

Western Velvety Tree Ant can lay invisible chemical trails to efficiently guide colony members to food and nest sites.

Western Velvety Tree Ant can 'farm' tiny aphids, protecting them from predators in exchange for sugary honeydew.

Western Velvety Tree Ant can quickly relocate its entire colony to a new nest if their current home is threatened.

Medidas y detalles

Tamaño: 3.5-7 mm
Esperanza de vida: 90-365 días
Cantidad de patas: 6
Tamaño de la colonia: 80000

Dieta y alimentación

These ants are omnivores, enjoying sugary liquids like honeydew and also snacking on small insects.

Alimentos principales

honeydew
small insects
nectar
caterpillars

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

symbiotic with

Cotton aphid

Aphis gossypii

tend for sweet honeydew

shelters

California Live Oak

Quercus agrifolia

nests in tree cavities

eaten by

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

a food source for birds

hunts

Silky Ant

Formica fusca

preys on other ants

Rasgos

Peludo

Peludo describe a los animales que poseen una cubierta densa de pelo o pelaje suave.

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.