A Study of Polyergus in the United States, Based on the Workers (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The genus Polyergus, subfamily Formicinae, includes the obligatory or true slave-making ants commonly referred to as Amazons. Unlike most ants, their workers are entirely dependent on slaves for the construction of nests and for the feeding of themselves and their brood. Their chief occupation appears to be the raiding and pillaging of nests of Formica, especially of those forms belonging to the pallidefulva and fusca groups. That portion of the stolen brood which is not eaten develops into auxiliary slaves in the nests of the Polyergus.