Formica Ant - worker

Description:

Formica ants have a large impact on their environment. They prey on other insects and have been introduced in forested areas of North America to control Eastern Tent caterpillars. They also maintain large populations of aphids, feeding on the aphids' secretions and defending them against predators.

Habitat:

Eastern U.S.. Moist habitats, most common in wooded and woodland edge sites.

Notes:

Observed hauling a dead Eastern Tent caterpillar back to their nest.