Crematogaster

Translingual

Etymology

Coined in 1831 by zoologist Peter Wilhelm Lund. From Ancient Greek κρεμᾶτ- (kremât-), root of κρεμᾶται (kremâtai, hanging), a middle-voice form of κρεμάω (kremáō, to hang), + -ο- + γαστήρ (gastḗr, belly). As in the case of the common name “acrobat ant”, this name refers to the ant’s defense mechanism of hanging its abdomen above its head and thorax in order to expel venom from its tip.

Proper noun

Crematogaster f

  1. A taxonomic genus within the family Formicidae – acrobat ants.

Hypernyms

Hyponyms

Over 430 species have been documented.

References