Our insect of the week for August 17, 2026 is another ant. This time it is Strumigenys clypeata. [HYMENOPTERA: Formicidae]. This species was described by the German entomologist, Julius Roger in 1863. This is a predatory ant native to the eastern United States (including central Illinois). Workers are cryptic foragers which hunt small arthropods in decaying leaves and rotting wood. Prey often include springtails (Collembola). Workers move slowly with their mandibles wide open. When they encounter prey, the mandibles slam shut rapidly and prey is often impaled on their mandibular teeth. Workers are often encountered in heavily shaded wet bottomland forests. Personally, I have only encountered solitary workers when sifting leaf littler or rotting wood in central Illinois.

This species has been found in both Mason and Peoria counties in central Illinois. The specimen in the photo was collected in Peoria County. This (and related species) have a spongiform process on their abdominal pedicel. I have included a photo of the dorsum of the pedicel and abdomen as well.