Formicoxenus Mayr

Ward, P. S., 2005, A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 936, pp. 1-68 : 32

Genus Formicoxenus Mayr

A single species, F. diversipilosus (M. Smith) occurs in northern California, where it lives as a “guest­ant” in the mound nests of species in the Formica rufa ­group, such as F. i n t e ­ groides Wheeler and F. obscuripes Forel. Colonies of Formicoxenus occupy dead twigs within the larger mound nests, and apparently scavenge organic material gathered by the host ant. References: Alpert and Akre (1973), Bolton (2003), Buschinger (1979a), Francoeur et al. (1985), Lenoir et al. (1997), Smith (1939c), Snelling (1965a).