Formica paralugubris

Formica paralugubris is a species of ant. It is a member of the Formica rufa species group native to the Alps in the Palearctic realm. It is a cryptic species, often miscategorized as Formica lugubris due to morphological similarities. The two species are capable of differentiating one another, however; F. paralugubris ants react aggressively towards F. lugubris ants.^[1]Formica paralugubris differs in its organization as a supercolony. It has been introduced into North America with the import of pine trees. It does not exhibit characteristics found in other invasive species due to its limited native range.^[2]

Formica paralugubris
Queen - specimen type (FoCol0762) 1
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Formicinae
Genus:	Formica
Species:	F. paralugubris
Binomial name
Formica paralugubris Seifert, 1996

Ecology

Nestmates within a F. paralugubris colony can recognize each other.^[1] F. paralugubris worker ants are known to collect conifer resin and place near their brood; this resin contains antimicrobial properties^[3] that the ants often modify by releasing formic acid onto the resin. Formic acid in combination with resin has antifungal properties.^[4]