Liometopum luctuosum
| Liometopum luctuosum | |
|---|---|
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| L. luctuosum worker from the United States | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Dolichoderinae |
| Tribe: | Tapinomini |
| Genus: | Liometopum |
| Species: | L. luctuosum |
| Binomial name | |
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Liometopum luctuosum Wheeler, 1905 |
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Liometopum luctuosum is a species of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae. Liometopum luctuosum is often mistaken for carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) by homeowners and pest management professionals. This mistaken identity is due to morphological and behavioral characteristics they share with carpenter ants; namely polymorphic workers, a smooth convex thoracic profile, and the tendency to excavate wood. L. luctuosum are also often confused with the Tapinoma sessile since they have the same coloration, are similar in size, and produce an alarm pheromone with a very similar odor. Consequently, their importance as structural pests may be greatly under reported, especially in California, Oregon, and Washington, United States.
Liometopum luctuosum was originally named Liometopum apiculatum subsp. luctuosum by Wheeler (1905) and Forel (1914). Creighton (1950) relocated it to a subspecies of Liometopum occidentale. It was elevated to the species level by Wheeler & Wheeler (1986), and subsequently confirmed by Mackay et al. (1988) and Del Toro et al. (2009)
Liometopum luctuosum has been reported at eleva tions as low as 59 m, but is typically found at elevations higher than 2400 m in more southern latitudes. Their range extends from temperate habitats as far north as British Columbia, Canada, and to more arid habitats of central Mexico and western Texas. They inhabit pine, oak, Douglas fir, and juniper forests, sagebrush, and high-elevation riparian habitats. This species is often strongly associated with but not limited to pine trees.
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