ມົດແດງ ( Asian weaver ant)

Formica smaragdina Fabricius, 1775

Formicidae

The dealate (wingless) queen of the Weaver Ant ranges in color from green to brown, while the male alates (winged individuals) are black and smaller in size. The female alates retain their green coloration and wings. In a colony of this species there are major and minor workers. Major workers serve as the primary labor force and construction crew of the colony and are larger than minor workers. Colonies typically have more major workers than minor ones. For this species, both the eggs and larvae are white and similar in shape, but the larvae are larger. As for the pupae, it resembles the adults, possessing eyes, mouthparts, legs, and wings [4].

Oecophylla smaragdina has a widespread distribution in tropical Asia and Australia, its range extending from India through Indonesia and the Philippines to Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia. It is an arboreal species, making its nests among the foliage of trees. [9]

North Laos Highlands
Northern Mekong Corridor
Annamite Highlands and Xieng Khuang Plateau
Vientiane Plain
Northern Annamites
Central Annamites
Lower Annamites
Southern Annamites
Southern Mekong Corridor
Boloven Plateau

Mixed coniferous and broadleaved forest
Young bush fallow
Old bush fallow

Native

Not invasive

Not applicable

None

Food
Medicine
Farming activities

Food: The larvae and pupae are consumed as a delicacy in Laos, Thailand, and other countries. They are said to have different flavors such as creamy, sour, and lemon. The larvae and pupae are collected and processed into bird food and fish bait. [9] Medicine: Adult ants are used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Oil made from adult ants is used for stomach infections and as an aphrodisiac. [9] Farming: In Southeast Asia the Weaver Ant is commonly used to reduce environmental and financial costs associated with non-biological pest control methods. It is known to have outstanding predatory power. This ant can protect the host plants from attacks of plant-eating insects and therefore has been used for biological control in the tropics [7]. The ant also helps to increase agricultural production and stimulate the diversity of sustainable agricultural products [8].

Wild

March
April
May

N/A

Eggs and larvae are available at local markets in season.

Important source of proteins

N/A

Nutrient	/100g	Remark
Proteins	N/A	N/A
Carbohydrates	N/A	N/A
Fats	N/A	N/A
Vitamins	N/A	N/A
Minerals	N/A	N/A
Fibers	N/A	N/A

Asian Weaver Ant from above. [1] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 7 February 2024 by: sohkamyung. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/350616225. [Accessed: 27 September 2024].
Asian Weaver Ant from the side. [2] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 1 February 2024 by: victor0001. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/352160404. [Accessed: 27 September 2024].
Winge Asian Weaver Ant. [3] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 5 January 2024 by: ruidasilvapinto. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/344563569. [Accessed: 27 September 2024].

[4] M. P. Marcela et al., "Colony Structure of the Weaver Ant, Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)," Sociobiology, Malaysia, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 95-106, 2012.
[5] Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), “Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775),” [Online]. Available: https://www.gbif.org/species/1317388. [Accessed: 27 September 2024].
[6] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, "Oecophylla smaragdina," [Online]. Available: https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Oecophylla%20smaragdina%20&searchType=species. [Accessed: 27 September 2024].
[7] K. Tsuji et al., "Asian weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, and their repelling of pollinators," Ecological Research, vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 669–673, 2004.
[8] J. Itterbeeck, "Prospects of semi-cultivating the edible weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina," Lao PDR, 2014.
[9] iNaturalist, "Oecophylla smaragdina," 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/117293-Oecophylla-smaragdina. [Accessed: Oct. 16, 2024].