Our insect of the week for July 27, 2026 is another ant, Proceratium silaceum. [HYMENOPTERA: Formicidae]. This ant was described by the German entomologist Julius Roger in 1863.

Workers are slow moving and are most commonly collected via sifting and extracting samples of rotting wood (using Berlese funnels or Winkler eclectors). I have only encountered this species in forested areas in central and southern Illinois. Colonies are small (less than 50 individuals).

The preferred diet appears to be arthropod eggs, particularly spider eggs. And you thought you knew some picky eaters. The specimen in this photograph was collected in Peoria County, Illinois.

I also include a stacked photo of this insect in lateral view so you can see additional aspects of the animal.