Myrmecocystus testaceus

Myrmecocystus testaceus is a species of ant. Found throughout southern United States, this species of ant is usually nocturnal, and nests in sand.

Myrmecocystus mexicanus
Profile view of ant Myrmecocystus testaceus specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Genus: Myrmecocystus
Species:
M. testaceus
Binomial name
Myrmecocystus testaceus
Emery, 1893

They can spray formic acid out of their gaster to melt skin tissue. instead of stinging and swarming, they normally stretch out the prey by the legs until it splits or dies from bites and formic acid.

References


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