Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Psyche: A Journal of Entomology

Abstract

Since slave-making raids of t,he genus Polyergus are conspicuous and spectacular, they have been studied by a number of myrmecologists. Among these are Wheeler 9 IO), Forel (I928), Creighton (95o), and Dobrzanska and Dobrzanski (96o). This paper concerns the eastern "shining slave-maker," Polyeryus lucidus Mayr, on the. Edwin S. (]eorge Reserve in southeastern Michigan (Livingston County). Twenty-five colonies of this species have been found, scattered quite widely over the fields, on the a square miles of the Reserve. Most .of the. fields tend to be dry, wit’h Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa L.) the dominant grass and with forbes .such as wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa L.) bush-clo.ver (Lespede’za virginica (L.) Britt.), and goldenrod (Soli’dago spp.) common and characteristic. In addition to this main habita.t, Polyer’yus colonies may sometimes be found at woods’ edge, in low wet fields, and in openings in oak-hickory woods where blueberries (Faccinium angustifolium Aft.), bracken (Pteridium aquilinium latiusculum (Desv.) Underw.), sedge (Carex pennsylvanica Lam.), and mosses are characteristic. No colony has been found completely within the woods, although the slave ant Formica pallidefulva nitidiventris Emery sometimes occurs there.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1155/1967/24519

Publication Date

1-1967

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