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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Ants (Formicoidea) » Ants (Formicidae) » Myrmicinae » Crematogastrini » Pavement Ants (Tetramorium) » (Immigrant) Pavement Ant (Tetramorium immigrans)
Photo#268576
Pavemant Ants eating Earthworm - Tetramorium immigrans
Copyright © 2009 Ted Kropiewnicki

Pavemant Ants eating Earthworm - Tetramorium immigrans
Bear, New Castle County, Delaware, USA
April 16, 2009
Size: Ants ~ 3 mm, Worm ~ 5 cm
I was on may way out so I didn't get a chance to observe the whole episode but when I got back about 4 hrs. later, Ants and the Earthworm were gone.
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki on 23 April, 2009 - 7:50pm
Last updated 23 April, 2009 - 10:24pm

Is this an id request?
You already have the i.d. (pavement ant = Tetramorium caespitum)
… Ant Catcher11, 23 April, 2009 - 9:50pm login or register to post comments

 
Yes, thank you!
Thanks for confirming, I just wasn't sure if earthworms were part of their normal diet.
… Ted Kropiewnicki, 23 April, 2009 - 10:23pm login or register to post comments

 
The will eat anything soft
They love eating worms, caterpillars, and other soft bodied insects. They also love sugary things. They also will collect seeds, not really sure why though.
… Ant Catcher11, 24 April, 2009 - 12:26pm login or register to post comments

 
They collect seeds because
they like eating the seed covers (elaiosomes).
… Silas J. Eckhardt, 12 May, 2022 - 12:17pm login or register to post comments

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