CHAPTER IV 



HYMENOPTERA ACULEATA CONTINUEB- 



OR ANTS 



-DIVISION IV. FORMICIDAE 



Division IV. Heterogyna or Formicidae — Ants. 



The segment, or the two segments, behind the propodeum, either 

 small or of irregular form, so that if not throughout of 

 small diameter, the articulation with the segment behind is 

 slender, and there is great mobility. 

 The trochanters undivided. The 

 individuals of each species are 

 usually of three Idnds, males, females 

 and workers ; the latter have no 

 wings, but the males and females 

 are usually winged, though the 

 females soon lose the flying organs. 

 They live in communities of various 

 numbers, the majority being workers. 

 The larvae are helpless maggots fed 

 and tended by the workers or by 

 the female. 



In ants the distinction between the 

 three great regions of the body is very 

 marked. The abdomen is connected 

 with the propodeum in a peculiar manner, 

 one or two segments beint^ detached 

 from the main mass to form a very 

 mobile articulation. This is tlie most distinctive of the char- 

 acters of ants. The structure and form of these parts varies 



Fig. 53 — Abdomens of ants. 

 A, Of Ca,m.ponotus nihripes 

 (Formicides) ; B, of Eda- 

 tovima auratuni (Ponerides): 

 C, of Aphaennriaster bar- 

 hara (Myrmicides). a, Pro- 

 podeum ; b, first abdominal 

 segment forming a scale or 

 node ; c, second ; d, third 

 abdominal segment. 



