Mediterranean Acrobat Ant
Crematogaster scutellaris
When threatened, they arch their heart-shaped abdomens over their heads like tiny scorpions to release a noxious chemical defense.
- Scientific name
- Crematogaster scutellaris
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hymenoptera › Formicidae › Crematogaster
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Mediterranean pine and oak forests, olive groves, orchards, and dead wood.
- Diet
- Honeydew from aphids, nectar, and small dead insects.
- Range
- Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East, Mediterranean Basin
- Size
- Workers: 3-5 mm, Queens: 7-9 mm
- Lifespan
- Workers live 1-2 years; queens can live up to 15 years.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Pesticide application in agriculture and the removal of dead wood and old trees which they rely on for nesting.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans. They are defensive only if their nest in dead wood is disturbed, reacting by biting and spraying formic acid. Maintain a safe distance of 1 meter from active trails. If bitten or sprayed, wash the area with soap and water; the mild irritation will pass quickly.
Crematogaster scutellaris is a species of ant belonging to the family Formicidae, subfamily Myrmicinae.
Photo: Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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