Ponera pennsylvanica
ANTS (Formicidae)

Description
A small ant about 1/8 inch long (4 mm), reddish-brown in color. Head is large, longer than it is wide with prominent mandibles. The thorax is slender with constrictions that make it look segmented. The abdomen is about the same length as the thorax but more robust. Antennae are elbowed thickened distally. The individual shown is a female worker ant.

Occurrence
This ant is endemic to the eastern U.S. Its range corresponds rather closely to the range of the eastern deciduous forest. Eastern Nebraska may be the western edge of its normal range. It is found nesting in deciduous forests in logs, leaf litter and under rocks in small colonies of a few hundred individuals. It should be considered common in this area.

Comments
The queen ant looks like the female worker ant but is slightly larger and more robust. Mating flights take place from mid-August to mid-October.

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