Predators - Formicidae (ants)

predatory insects • beneficials/natural enemies

Oecophylla longinoda with insect prey (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): Axel Rouvin
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Formicidae (predators - ants)

Ants of the family Formicidae can be efficient biological control agents, but also agricultural or nuisance pests (for pest species see the section "pest Formicidae") and some groups can be both. There are several species of ants which are actively promoted as predators, for example farmers in Asia and Africa encourage and protect tree ants of the genus Oecophylla in orchards by tying branches together or avoiding the use of harmful insecticides.

The following genera and individual species are currently entered under Formicidae (predators):

• Aphaenogaster (genus - predators)
• Camponotus (genus - predators)
• Formica (genus - predators)
• Lasius neoniger (predator)

• Myrmica (genus - predators)
• Oecophylla (genus - predators)
• Solenopsis (genus - predators)