Formica subserica
Glossary
Abdomen the third main part of an insect. the abdomen of an ant consists of the propodeum, petiole, and the gaster
Acidopore the orifice at the tip of the gaster of formicinae ants that emits formic acid for defense
Alate winged
Alitrunk the second major body segment of the ant consisting of the thorax and the propodeum
Antenna One of two flexible, segmented sensory appendages on the head of an insect
Antennal fossa the depression in which the antenna is attached
Anterior toward the front or head
Appressed lying flat or close to the body
Bicolored with two colors
Carina an elevated ridge
Caste a set of members of a colony that are specialized in behavior
Chitin A tough, protective, semitransparent substance that forms the exoskeletons of arthropods
Cypeus a plate on the lower part of the head above the mandibles.
Coxa the small segment of the leg attached to the corresponding segment of the thorax.
Distal the point farthest away from the body.
Dorsal the upper surface or back.
Elaiosome an appendage on some seeds that contains nutrients and are attractive to ants
Erect are standing up straight
Exoskeleton hard outer shell of arthropods made of chitin
Facet One of the lenslike visual units of a compound eye - also called ommatidium
Forage to search for food
Funiculus The series of smaller segments of the antenna beyond the scape
Gaster The large abdominal segments beyond the petiole and postpetiole (when present)
Head the first main part of an insect containing the eyes, mouth, and antennae.
Honeydew the sugary fluid excreted by sap eating insects such as aphids.
Humerus shoulder
Longitudinal running lengthwise along the body
Mandibles the main jaws of the ant
Maxillae the second pair of jaws folded beneath the mandibles
Maxillary palps jointed sensory appendages originating from the maxillae
Medial on or toward the midline
Mesonotum the upper part of the middle segment of the thorax
Mesothorax the second segment of the thorax.
Metathoax the third segment of the thorax
Mutualism a symbiotic relationship that benefits both partners
Myrmecochory the dispersal of seeds by ants who are attracted by nutritious appendages on the seeds (elaiosomes).
Myrmencology the study of ants.
Node the knob-like upper portion of the petiole.
Occiput top of the head.
Ocellus (plural: ocelli) the two or three simple eyes on the top of the head.
Ommatidium a single facet of a compound eye
Pectinate comblike structure
Peduncle the back section of the petiole joined to the propodeum
Petiole the segment of the body between the alitrunk and the gaster
Posterior toward the back of the body
Postpetiole a second segment of the behind the petiole and in front of the gaster, not on all ants
Pronotum the upper part of the first or anterior segment of the thorax
Propodeal spine one of a pair of spines at the dorsal posterior end of the propodeum
Propodeum the dorsal (on top) area on the thorax
Prothorax the first segment of the thorax
Pubescence a covering of small hairs
Rugose wrinkles; raised ridges
Scale the upright crested upper portion of the petiole; if rounded, also called a node
Scape the first segment of the antenna
Sclerite any area of the body set off by ridges or grooves
Sting the sharp point at the tip of the gaster of some ants used to deliver venom.
Tarsus the series of segments of the leg attached to the tibia
Thorax the middle part of an insect's body to which the legs are attached
Tibia the segment of the leg between the femur and the tarsus
Tibial spur a spine on the tibia used for grooming the antennae
Transverse running across the body, as opposed to longitudinal
Ventral underneath (belly) side; as opposed to dorsal
Vertex the top of the head above the eyes