Liometopum luctuosum is
typically about 3-4 mm long and dark colored. They are very agressive ants.
When disturbed, they swarm out and run around with their jaws open. They do
not sting, and their bite is not too painful, but it is a pretty creepy
experience nonetheless.
The photos below were taken in a pinyon-juniper area near Prescott,
Arizona.
As always, click on the images below to get larger versions.
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Here is a group of Liometopum on a pinyon pine branch. They were tending aphids which are clustered around the base of the pine needles. |
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At least one of them has figured out that I am present, you can see her on the right hand side of the picture, charging around with her jaws agape. |
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This a photo of a nest site. The Liometopum were nesting in a rotten tree stump. |
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I touched a branch to the tree stump...you can see that Liometopum's standing-around-with-jaws-agape is not mere posturing, they are quite willing to bite. Also note the fluid at the tip of the abdomen. |
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Unless otherwise noted, all images copyrighted by Dale Ward. Contact me at
ants@tightloop.com
for questions regarding use of these images.
