New World Redbeard Ant

Formica neorufibarbis

General Status Rank: 
Undetermined
Common Name: 
New World Redbeard Ant
Scientific Name: 
Formica neorufibarbis
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Hymenoptera (Ant)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Arthropoda
Class: 
Insecta
Order: 
Hymenoptera
Family: 
Formicidae
Habitat
This species prefers to nest in dead wood of any type, above or in the ground, also in decaying sphagnum moss and in mineral soil in less favourable biotopes (bogs and taiga habitats).Foragers are active, running on the ground and on plants in great numbers, during warm conditions. The species has been reported in palaeoecological studies (Elias 1982b).
References: 
R209
Distribution

Distribution

Transcontinental (H254), A widespread species, as presently understood, with abundant populations throughout the continental and mountain coniferous forests of the boreal biome (R209)
References: 
H254
R209

Number of Occurrences

Records are known from YT, NT, BC, AB, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, PE and NL (Umphrey pers. data) (Localities?)

Historical Distribution

Widespread throughout numerous habitat types, including the coniferous boreal forest and Taiga of northern Canada; peatlands, woodlands and other habitats (Francoeur 1997).Cold-tolerant ant that nests in dead wood of any type and under rocks; within Sphagnum moss in peatlands, and similar habitats (Francoeur 1997; Ellison et al. 2012). There is widespread potential habitat, nest sites and foraging opportunities within its known range in Canada.

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Undetermined
Status Rank Description: 
Records are known from YT, NT, BC, AB, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, PE and NL (Umphrey pers. data) and there are likely records in SK (Ellison et al. 2012) and NU (based on association with other common boreal ant species Camponotus herculeanus and Leptothorax muscorum). The range extent is based on the best available information. Most museum collections are not databased and there is insufficient survey coverage for ants in most regions of Canada.
S Rank: 
SU
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted as part of Natiional list by Gary Umphrey . March 2010; Draft ranks in 2014 by Jennifer Heron for the National General Status Ranking Program.
Last Updated: 
September 30, 2019

References

Habitat

  • Francoeur, André (1997) Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Yukon. Chapter in book (pages 901-910) Insects of the Yukon H.V. Danks and J.A. Downes, editors copy in binder - R209 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Francoeur, André (1997) Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Yukon. Chapter in book (pages 901-910) Insects of the Yukon H.V. Danks and J.A. Downes, editors copy in binder - R209 Return

Range Extent

  • Umphrey, Gary (2010) Assessment of ants. E-mail from Hebert,Remi [NCR] [Remi.Hebert@ec.gc.ca] to Carriere, S. - 28/03/2011 - attachment in Excel with G Umphrey list of ants in Canada copy in binder - H254 Return
  • Francoeur, André (1997) Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Yukon. Chapter in book (pages 901-910) Insects of the Yukon H.V. Danks and J.A. Downes, editors copy in binder - R209 Return