This is the only genus of army ants found in California. These are nomadic, predacious ants that engage in group foraging. Workers are usually active at night, and often forage below the soil surface. Other ant species (both adults and brood) appear to be the principal prey items of Neivamyrmex , although the habits of the smaller, subterranean species are not well known.
Species identification: Snelling and Snelling (2005). Additional references: Borgmeier(1955), Gotwald (1995), Snelling and George (1979), Ward (1999), Watkins (1972, 1976, 1977b, 1985), Wheeler and Wheeler (1984a, 1986g).
E1 [endemic to California]
Description in preparation (Snelling& Snelling 2005).
Alto Paraguay, Amambay, Boquerón , Concepción (ALWC, INBP, MCSN).
Neivamyrmex is a genus of army ants in the subfamily Dorylinae.[2]
Neivamyrmex species can be found from the central United States to southern Argentina.[3]
As of 2021, 129 Neivamyrmex species have been identified.[3] However, most research pertaining to this genus is based on a single species, Neivamyrmex nigriscens, from which knowledge about Neivamyrmex overall is derived.[3] Many species are known based only on a small number of male individuals.[3]
Neivamyrmex do not build permanent nests; instead, colonies are nomadic, establishing temporary bivouacs every night before moving on to a new location.[4] Most species are predominantly subterranean, but they will occasionally forage above ground at night or on cloudy days.[5] The larvae and pupae of other ant species are the principle food of Neivamyrmex, including ants of the genera Veromessor, Pheidole, Solenopsis, and Formica.[6]
Male Neivamyrmex possess wings, while queens are flightless.[7] Fertilization of queens may occur purely within the colony, with mating occurring between brothers and sisters, or unrelated males may fly in from foreign colonies to reproduce.[7] After being fertilized, new queens will found new colonies by leaving their natal colonies alongside a large number of workers.[7]
