Formicinae

Formicinae is a subfamily of ants in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera. It is a large and diverse group that includes many common ants and occupies a wide range of habitats worldwide.

Genera within Formicinae are numerous and varied. Notable examples include Formica, Camponotus, Lasius, Cataglyphis, Colobopsis, and Polyrhachis, among others. The subfamily encompasses a broad spectrum of life histories, from mound-building forest species to arboreal nesters and ground-dwellers.

A primary diagnostic feature of Formicinae is the morphology of the abdomen and sting apparatus. Members typically have a single petiole (a single segment connecting the thorax to the abdomen) and lack a functional sting. Instead, they possess an acidopore at the end of the abdomen that they use to spray formic acid as a chemical defense.

Ecology and behavior in Formicinae are diverse. Species occupy soils, leaf litter, trees, and decaying wood, and nesting strategies range from underground nests to large above-ground colonies. Many Formicinae engage in mutualisms with other organisms, such as aphids or scale insects, for honeydew, and some lineages practice social parasitism, including slave-making behaviors in certain genera.

Distribution and evolution: Formicinae ants are found on most continents, excluding Antarctica, with greatest diversity in temperate regions. Phylogenetically, Formicinae is one of the major lineages within Formicidae, and fossil records indicate their presence dating back to the Cretaceous period.