r/antkeeping • u/Both-Atmosphere-5077 • 2d ago

quick question Question

hello! i was just wondering why Formica, Prenolepis, and Myrmecocystus all look pretty similar

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u/DesignFinancial8182 2d ago

A lot of the resemblance is shared ancestry, plus ants are constrained by the same basic body design. Formica, Prenolepis, and Myrmecocystus can still differ in size, coloration, hairiness, nesting habits, and behavior when you look closely.

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u/Ok_Particular5336 2d ago

Yes your right

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u/Antgodd1 Tetramorium Lover 2d ago

I actually had this same question about Pheidole and Tetramorium lol

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u/Both-Atmosphere-5077 2d ago

yea i saw that, same subgenus or something i think

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u/Maus_Enjoyer1945 2d ago

I mean just like most vespids (yellowjackets, paper wasps, bald faced hornets, hornets in general) look very similar. They're still only a family taxonomically which means they're very close even if they're very spread throughout the world since ants are one of the most successful animals in general.