Liometopum Mayr

Ward, P. S., 2005, A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 936, pp. 1-68 : 27

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.171144
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6268842
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/9E2AA724-FFCC-FFCF-FEBF-FCB6C6C8FB4C
treatment provided by	Plazi (2016-05-09 22:14:59, last updated 2024-11-26 16:53:54)
scientific name	Liometopum Mayr
status

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Genus Liometopum Mayr View in CoL

This genus is represented in California by two species, both widespread. These ants have populous colonies that inhabit the trunks of large living trees, especially those of oak and pine. L. occidentale Emery tends to be associated with deciduous trees, while L. luctuosum Wheeler is found most frequently in conifers. The workers forage in large files and are generalist scavengers and predators, as well as active tenders of aphids and scale insects.

Species identification: key in Wheeler and Wheeler (1986g). Additional references: Disney (1982), Gulmahamad (1995), Kistner et al. (2002), Shapley (1920), Snelling and George (1979), Wheeler (1905h).

References

Kistner, D. H., Jensen, E. A. & Jacobson, H. R. (2002) A new genus and two new species of myrmecophilous Staphylinidae found with Liometopum in California (Coleoptera; Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology, 39, 291 - 305.

Disney, R. H. L. (1982) Three new species of scuttle-fly (Diptera: Phoridae) that parasitize ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in North America. Journal of Zoology (London), 197, 473 - 481.

Gulmahamad, H. (1995) The genus Liometopum Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in California, with notes on nest architecture and structural importance. Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 71, 82 - 86.

Shapley, H. (1920) Thermokinetics of Liometopum apiculatum Mayr. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 6, 204 - 211.

Snelling, R. R. & George, C. D. (1979) The taxonomy, distribution and ecology of California desert ants. Report to California Desert Plan Program, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Dept. Interior. 335 pp. + 89 pp.

Wheeler, W. M. (1905 h) The North American ants of the genus Liometopum. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 21, 321 - 333.

Wheeler, G. C. & Wheeler, J. (1986 g) The ants of Nevada. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, vii + 138 pp.