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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps » Ants, Stinging Wasps, and Hornets (Vespoidea) » Ants (Formicidae) » Myrmicinae
Photo#194846
tetramorium caespitum reproductive?
Copyright © 2007 J. Cotton

tetramorium caespitum reproductive?
Detroit, downtown community garden, Wayne County, Michigan, USA
August 18, 2007
Size: 3.5mm
Was found with Tetramorium caespitum in a pitfall trap. Any ideas about the appendage on the end of the gaster?
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Contributed by Julie Cotton on 27 June, 2008 - 2:56pm
Last updated 12 July, 2008 - 7:09pm

Social parasite male reproductive
The appendanges on the apex of the gaster are the oversized gonostipites of the genitalia. Else the overall outline is rather female-like, as it frequently occurs among males of parasite Myrmicine ants. Forewings seem to be reduced to these whitish rounded scales.
Most likely a specialized parasite of T. caespitum, member of the Tetramorini tribe like are Anergates atratulus or Teleutomyrmex schneideri.
An extremely interesting discovery anyway.
… Richard Vernier, 27 June, 2008 - 3:24pm login or register to post comments

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