Subfamily Dolichoderinae Descriptive Characteristic:Habitat: - Ants in this subfamily have reduced petiole,- All over the world the postpetiole is fused to the gaster - Sting is vestigial or absent (not visible) - Very strong scent - Transverse cloacal orifice Behavior: - Aggressive, bite but do not sting Genus Linepithema Compiled by Hilda Taylor

Genus Azteca Worker Descriptive Characteristics:Habitat: -Only petiole is visible - Mexico - Arboreal (trees and branches) - Medium size ants Behavior: - Aggressive, bite do not sting - Run very fast Note: When placed in alcohol, they curve their gaster above the mesosoma Queen Gaster

Genus Dolichoderus Descriptive Characteristics: Habitat: - W ide range in sizes - NE in US and Mexico (forest-like) - Long neck - Trees, dead branches (~3/4” diam) and - Propodeum has spines or angles and twigs - Strong unpleasant scent - Distributed from lowlands to mountainous regions Behavior - Very aggressive, bite cannot sting - Run very fast Long skinny neck Propodeum has spines or angles

Genus Dorymyrmex (Conomyrmex) Descriptive Characteristics:Habitat: - Monomorphic- Common in disturbed areas - Unique conical projection on propodeum- Nest in soil, sand - Hairs under the head (used to haul sand) - Strong scent Behavior: - Run very fast (crazy little guys)

Genus Forelius Descriptive Characteristics:Habitat: -Monomorphic- Occurs in xeric habitats from -Strong scent Great Lakes south in US and -Petiole node visible Mexico -Long hairs from clypeus extending over head - Common in urban habitats and mandibles (longer than in Linepithema, spp) (disturbed habitats areas) Behavior - Aggressive Hairs in clypeus

Genus Linepithema ( Iridomyrmex ) Descriptive Characteristics:Habitat: - No hairs on alitrunk- Mesic and urban habitats - Propodeum sticks up like a rectangular structure- Rare in xeric zones above the mesonotum Behavior: - Aggressive - Spray chemicals when threatened (Solenopsis invicta cannot handle them)

Genus Liometopum Alitrunk convex Descriptive Characteristics:Habitat: - Polymorphic- Western US and Mexico - Eyes not on edges, they are near the middle - Oak forests of the head - Antennal origin is close to the clypeus - Alitrunk is convex - Strong scent Behavior: - Aggressive Note: Very similar to Camponotus, spp, but it does not have a scent

Genus Tapinoma Descriptive Characteristics:Habitat: - Monomorphic- Southern Mexico - Petiole mode very low and anteriorly- Tempered zones, tropics inclinded (appearing absent), often hidden- Common in wetter sites under under gaster rocks. - US ant is dark brown- Nest in dead branches, rotting fallen trees, rotting stumps and in the soil. - Common in houses Behavior - Aggressive - Workers forage on trees, herbaceous plants and below ground Petiole Gaster overhangs the petiole