List of ants of Minnesota facts for kids
Did you know that Minnesota is home to many different kinds of ants? This page lists all the known ant species that live in Minnesota. Ants are tiny but amazing insects that live in colonies and play important roles in nature. They help clean up the environment and even spread plant seeds!
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Discovering Minnesota's Ants
Ants are found almost everywhere on Earth, and Minnesota is no exception! Scientists have identified many different types of ants living across the state. These ants belong to various groups, or "subfamilies," which are like different families within the larger ant world. Each subfamily has its own unique features and ways of life.
Why Are Ants Important?
Ants might seem small, but they do a lot for our planet. They help keep soil healthy by digging tunnels, which lets air and water get into the ground. They also eat dead insects and other organic matter, acting like tiny clean-up crews. Some ants even help plants by carrying their seeds to new places, helping new plants grow.
How Scientists Study Ants
Scientists who study insects are called entomologists. They carefully observe ants in their natural habitats and collect samples to identify them. By listing all the species in a certain area, like Minnesota, scientists can better understand the local ecosystem and how different creatures fit into it. This list helps us know which ants call Minnesota home!
Ant Subfamilies in Minnesota
Ants are grouped into different subfamilies based on their shared characteristics. In Minnesota, you can find ants from several major subfamilies. Here are some of them:
Ponerinae: The Primitive Ants
Ponerinae ants are often called "primitive ants" because they have some features that are thought to be older in ant evolution. They are usually predators, meaning they hunt other small insects and invertebrates for food.
- Ponera pennsylvanica
Myrmicinae: Diverse and Widespread Ants
The Myrmicinae subfamily is one of the largest and most diverse groups of ants. You can find these ants almost everywhere. They have a special two-part "waist" between their thorax and abdomen. This group includes many common ants you might see in your backyard.
- Aphaenogaster mariae
- A. picea
- A. picea rudis
- A. tennesseensis
- A. treatae
- Crematogaster cerasi
- Crematogaster lineolata
- Harpagoxenus canadensis
- Leptothorax ambiguous
- L. longispinosus
- L. muscorum
- L. texanus
- L. texanus davisi
- Monomorium minimum
- M. pharaonis Pharaoh ant
- The Pharaoh ant is a tiny, yellowish-brown ant. It is known for being a common house pest, especially in warmer buildings like hospitals.
- Myrmica alaskensi
- M. americana
- M. detrinodis
- M. emeryana
- M. evanida
- M. fracticornis
- M. incomplete
- M. lobifrons
- M. punctiventris
- M. sculptilis
- Pheidole bicarinata
- P. pilifera
- Protomognathus americanus
- Smithistruma perandei (Strumigenys pergandei)
- S. pulchella (Strumigenys pulchella)
- Solenopsis molesta
- Stenamma brevicorne
- S. diecki
- S. impar
- S. schmitti
Dolichoderinae: Odorous Ants
Ants in the Dolichoderinae subfamily are sometimes called "odorous ants" because they can release a strong, often unpleasant smell when crushed. This smell is a defense mechanism to protect themselves from predators.
- Dolichoderus mariae
- Dolichoderus plagiatus (Hypoclinea plagiata)
- D. pustulatus (Hypoclinea pustulatas)
- D. taschenbergi (Hypoclinea taschenbergi)
- Dorymyrmex pyramicus
- Forelius pruinosus (Iridomyrmex pruinosum)
- Tapinoma melanocephalum Ghost Ant
- The Ghost Ant is a very small, pale ant that is hard to see. It gets its name because its legs and abdomen are almost clear. In Minnesota, it is usually found in warm places like greenhouses.
- T. sessile
Formicinae: Fast and Active Ants
The Formicinae subfamily includes many common and active ants. They are known for being fast-moving and often have a single-part "waist." This group includes some of the largest ants, like carpenter ants, and many species that build large nests.
- Acanthomyops clavige
- A. interjectus
- A. latipes
- A. occidentalis
- A. plumopilosus
- A. pubescens
- A. subglaber
- Brachymyrmex depilis
- Camponotus americanus
- C. discolor (C. caryae discolor)
- C. herculeanus
- C. modoc (C. pennsylvanicus modoc)
- C. nearcticus
- C. noveboracensis
- C. pennsylvanicus
- Formica argentea
- F. aserva (F. subnuda)
- F. bradleyi
- F. ciliate
- F. dakotensis
- F. emeryi
- F. exsectoides
- F. fossaceps
- F. fusca
- F. glacialis
- F. hewitti
- F. impexa
- F. incerta
- F. lasioides
- F. limata
- F. montana
- F. neogagates
- F. neorufibarbis
- F. obscuripes
- F. obscuriventris(F. rufa gymnamma)
- F. obtusopilosa
- F. nitidiventris
- F. oreas comptula
- F. podzolica
- F. reflexa
- F. spatulata
- F. subsericea
- F. pergandei(F. sublucida)
- F. ulkei
- F. whymperi adamsi
- Lasius alienus (L. alienus americanus)
- L. minutus (L. bicornis minutus)
- L. flavus (L. brevicornis)
- L. nearcticus (L. flavus nearcticus)
- L. neoniger (L. niger neoniger)
- L. pallitarsis
- L. speculiventris
- L. subumbratus
- L. umbratus (L. subumbratus epinotalis, L. umbratus aphidcola)
- Paratrechina parvula
- Polyergus breviceps (rusfescens fusciventris, rufescens fusciventris)
- Prenolepis imparis
- Yeongsunperi Parksi
