Prenolepis imparis
| Prenolepis imparis | |
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| Prenolepis imparis worker | |
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| Species: | P. imparis
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| Binomial name | |
| Prenolepis imparis (Thomas Say, 1836)
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Prenolepis imparis, commonly known as the winter ant, false honey ant, or false honeypot ant, is a species of ant in the genus Prenolepis.[1] The species is found in North America, from Canada to Mexico, nesting deep within the ground. Unusual among ants, Prenolepis imparis prefers lower temperatures, including near freezing, and is only active outside the nest during winter and early spring.[2] Prenolepis imparis enters a hibernation-like state called aestivation during the summer.
P. imparis secretes an opaque white liquid from its abdomen as a defense against other ants, including Linepithema humile.[3]
Subspecies
- Prenolepis imparis arizonica Wheeler., 1930
- Prenolepis imparis colimana Wheeler, 1930
- Prenolepis imparis coloradensis Wheeler, 1930
- Prenolepis imparis veracruzensis Wheeler, 1930
References
- ^ Bolton, B. (2015). "Prenolepis imparis". AntCat. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ^ Tschinkel, W. R. (1987). "Seasonal life history and nest architecture of a winter-active ant, Prenolepis imparis". Insectes Sociaux. 34 (3): 143–164. doi:10.1007/bf02224081.
- ^ Sorrells, Trevor R.; Kuritzky, Leah Y.; Kauhanen, Peter G.; Fitzgerald, Katherine; Sturgis, Shelby J.; Chen, Jimmy; Dijamco, Cheri A.; Basurto, Kimberly N.; Gordon, Deborah M. (2011). "Chemical Defense by the Native Winter Ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the Invasive Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)". PLoS ONE. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0018717.
External links
Media related to Prenolepis imparis at Wikimedia Commons- AntWiki has information on the identification, distribution, and biology of Prenolepis imparis.
