Erratic Ant
Tapinoma erraticum
The erratic ant is a species of dolichoderine ant first described in 1789 by Latreille.
35
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erratic_ant
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Formicidae
Genus
Tapinoma
Erratic Ant belongs to the family Formicidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The erratic ant is a species of dolichoderine ant first described in 1789 by Latreille.
The Erratic Ant faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from urbanization and agricultural expansion across its European range. Climate change is altering the temperature and moisture conditions of its specialized microhabitats, while invasive ant species compete for resources and nesting sites.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits dry, sandy soils in open grasslands, heathlands, and sparse woodland edges, typically nesting under stones or in shallow soil cavities. Requires specific temperature and moisture conditions in Mediterranean and temperate European ecosystems.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Erratic Ant faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from urbanization and agricultural expansion across its European range. Climate change is altering the temperature and moisture conditions of its specialized microhabitats, while invasive ant species compete for resources and nesting sites.
Agricultural intensification
Climate change impacts on microhabitat conditions
Habitat loss from urban development
Competition from invasive ant species
Fragmentation of suitable nesting sites
Found in 35 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Erratic Ant (Tapinoma erraticum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/erratic-ant