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| This is Leptogenys elongata . |
Identification: The elongate isopod-eating ant , (isopods are also known as pill bugs, roly-polys, or armadillo bugs), is a medium-sized species that is light brown to dark brown. This ant has three unique features that separate it from all others in the state. One is the shape of the segment of the head that is above the mandibles (clypeus) which is wedge-shaped and projects between the mandibles. The mandibles are sickle-shaped and lack or nearly lack teeth. The other character is the tarsal claws (feet) have small projections, giving it a comb-like appearance.
Biology: The range of the elongate isopod-eating ant is from northeastern Mexico north to southeast Texas and western Louisiana, never reaching east of the Mississippi River. Colonies are small, with 30 or so workers and are located in soil of mixed forests. Scientists believe these ants feed largely on isopods, and the ant’s detritus (trash) piles are nearly always full of isopod remains. The distinctive morphological modification of the clypeus is thought to aid in transport of their isopod prey, by wedging it against the closed mandibles. The elongate isopod-eating ant can be found when foraging (looking for food) or can be located under rocks or logs. This species inhabits such habitats as mixed-pine forests and longleaf-pine savanna in the east gulf-coastal plain longleaf-pine forest and coastal prairie ecoregions in Louisiana. Like army ants, isopod-eating ant’s females are wingless and never have mating flights. Anytime between from May to October, the males fly into the nest where virgin queens are and mate there.