Workers are small to medium, roughly 3–5 mm.
Fine-art photographic collection
Dolichoderus quadripunctatus
A tree-dwelling ant marked by four pale spots on its abdomen.
About this species
Dolichoderus quadripunctatus(Linnaeus, 1771)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Dolichoderus quadripunctatus is an arboreal ant of European woodland and orchards. Colonies occupy cavities in branches and trunks and forage for honeydew high in vegetation.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Dolichoderus
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Europe and western AsiaBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Central and southern Europe, extending into western Asia.
Deciduous woodland, old orchards, hedgerows and mature trees with hollow branches.
Diurnal in warm weather, with workers travelling along bark and branches.
Honeydew and other sugary liquids, supplemented by small arthropods.
Colonies often occupy several cavities within one tree or neighbouring trees.
What makes this species remarkable?
Four pale abdominal marks provide the species’ most recognisable field character.
Because much of its life is spent above ground, colonies can be missed during conventional soil sampling.
Old trees with dead branches are particularly important nesting habitat.
More photographs
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