Formiini

Formiini is a tribe of ants within the subfamily Formicinae of the family Formicidae. The tribe’s type genus is Formica, which includes many well-known species such as Formica rufa and Formica fusca. Formiini is one of several tribes recognized within Formicinae to group genera that share certain morphological and behavioral traits.

Taxonomy and circumscription of Formiini have varied across classifications. Some authorities have placed Formica in different tribal arrangements or reorganized Formicinae into alternative groups; molecular phylogenetic studies have clarified relationships but exact composition can differ between sources. In contemporary treatments, Formiini is generally treated as including Formica and related genera within Formicinae, though nomenclatural differences may occur among taxonomic references.

Characteristics common to Formiini reflect the broader features of Formicinae. Members typically have a single petiole node between the thorax and abdomen, lack a functional sting, and possess an acidopore at the tip of the abdomen used to spray formic acid for defense. They are generally medium-sized to large ants with varied coloration and form. Social organization in Formiini follows the eusocial pattern typical of ants, with division of labor, colony reproduction, and complex foraging behavior.

Distribution and ecology: Formiini ants are found mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including much of Europe, Asia, and North America. Formica species commonly inhabit woodlands, meadows, and other open habitats, where they can form conspicuous mound nests. Their activities influence soil turnover, nutrient cycling, and, in some ecosystems, seed dispersal. They are omnivorous, collecting sugars from honeydew and consuming insects and carrion; some species also tend aphids and other hemipterans for honeydew.