Aphaenogaster tennesseensis
ANTS (Formicidae)

Description
A small ant a little less than 1/4 inch (5-6 mm) long with a large head, thinner sculptured thorax and a rounded abdomen on a short petiole. The abdomen is slightly larger than the head. Color overall is reddish brown.

Occurrence
This ant is distributed throughout eastern North America. It is normally found in rotting or wet wood. Its distribution is synonymous with the eastern deciduous forest. According to experts at BugGuide central Nebraska is the western limit of its range. It is probably common in this area.

Comments
This ant species is a nest parasite of other Aphaenogaster species. The queen enters the host nest and is accepted by the worker ants. She kills the host queen and begins laying eggs. The nest eventually becomes a pure colony of Aphaenogaster tennesseensis. Under strong magnification spines are visible at the rear of the thorax in front of the petiole, hence the name spine-waisted.

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