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Ants
- Latin Name: Myrmica rubra
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: European Fire Ant
- Other Names: European red ant, Fire Ant of the North
Origin:
This species is native to cold regions of Asia and Europe and was discovered in the Upper Northeast of the U.S. as early as 1908 in Massachusetts and in Maine in the 1950’s. Its range has expanded and it now is present in much of the northeast U.S. and southeastern Canada.
Biology:
While it is not as aggressive as the Red Imported Fire Ant this species still aggressively defends its nests, attacking intruders in large numbers and inflicting painful stings. They are evolved from cold climates and prefer to be near wet habitats. Colonies are located under logs, in the soil, within thick grassy areas, and under other debris on the soil. A colony has multiple queens and may grow to
- Latin Name: Formica sp.
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Field Ant
- Other Names: Thatch ant, mound ant, silky ant
Origin:
Many species in this genus are native to North America, and are found commonly throughout the continent.
Biology:
These are fairly large, single-node species, with colors ranging from black to brown to reddish, or combinations of these colors. They rarely invade structures, but are common in wooded or grassy areas outdoors. They cannot sting, but they will readily bite to cause a slight opening in the skin, and then spray formic acid onto the bite wound to cause a stinging sensation. Their common names are derived from their habit of creating large above-ground mounds of vegetation with their colony nesting inside. The field ants are particularly fond of sweet materials and will forage for honeydew.
- Latin Name: Camponotus floridanus
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Florida Carpenter Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
These are native species in Florida and nearby states.
Biology:
This species is just one of several found in Florida but is one of the most common found around residential areas. The usual habitat of a colony of carpenter ants is within wood, often wood buried or partially buried in the soil. They also commonly establish “satellite” colonies that may be in a structure, maintaining contact between the two colonies with the workers who travel to and from over well-defined trails. Generally there is a single queen in the colony but often supplementary queens as well. Colonies typically are around 15,000 workers when mature, but potentially could be over 100,000 workers. Foods are both carbohydrates
- Latin Name: Pogonomyrmex badius
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Florida Harvester Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Native to the eastern United States, and found along the Gulf States from Louisiana to Florida and north to North Carolina.
Biology:
Harvester ants gather seeds and vegetation for their food, and are very unlikely to enter structures. However, they may be common in urban areas, and with their ability to sting and their large size they may become a problem. In addition, their activities can have a serious effect on agricultural crops or ornamental plantings. Nest openings are identified by the large, circular, flat area around them, created by the workers as they clear debris and soil from the underground chambers. This area averages 12 feet in diameter, and distinct paths lead from it to over 200 feet away for
- Latin Name: Tapinoma melanocephalum
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Ghost Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Tropical in origin, as it is found in Hawaii and Florida, as well as on occasion in greenhouses in other states.
Biology:
This tiny ant derives its name from the difficulty in seeing it, due to its small size and light color. When found it will be in a warm, humid habitat, and its presence outside of Florida or Hawaii is likely due to infested soils in plants that are shipped. It is primarily an outdoor species, nesting in virtually any crack or small void it can find, including under bark or in hollow trees, under logs and other debris on the soil, or within structures in any suitable void. Colonies may contain several thousand workers and numerous queens, and new colonies are probably begun by budding from a parent
- Latin Name: Camponotus variegatus
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Hawaiian Carpenter Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Native to Southeast Asia, as Hawaii has NO native ant species, but it is one of dozens of ants species now found in the Islands.
Biology:
The usual habitat of a colony of carpenter ants is within wood, often wood buried or partially buried in the soil. They also commonly establish “satellite” colonies that may be in a structure, maintaining contact between the two colonies with the workers who travel to and from over well-defined trails. Generally there is a single queen in the colony but often supplementary queens as well. Colonies typically are around 15,000 workers when mature, but potentially could be over 100,000 workers. Foods are both carbohydrates
- Latin Name: Acanthomyops interjectus
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Larger Yellow (Citronella) Ant
- Other Names: Citronella ant
Origin:
Apparently native to North America, and common from the east coast states west to Washington and throughout the Midwest.
Biology:
This is a single-node ant with workers as large as 5 mm. When crushed it has a lemony or “citronella-like” odor, giving it one of its names. Food is almost entirely sugary materials such as honeydew from plant feeding insects. Nests are in the soil, sometimes under logs or concrete slabs, and winged swarmers may enter the structure due to these nests below the slab.
Identification:
The light yellow color and large size make these ants fairly distinct. There is a single node,
- Latin Name: Monomorium minimum
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Little Black Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Possibly a native of the United States, where it is found most commonly in the eastern half, but frequently in California as well.
Biology:
When found outdoors this ant nests primarily in the soil under debris or other objects, as well as in open areas and in turf. The nest opening will have a small crater of soil around it. Less commonly the nests may be found in cavities under bark or other areas, as well as within structures in walls or under carpets. Colonies are small but have numerous queens, and will relocate when they are disturbed. Preferred foods seem to be sugar materials such as honeydew, but they also feed on protein from live or dead insects.
Identification:
This ant is one
- Latin Name: Wasmannia auropunctata
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Little Fire Ant
- Other Names: Electric Ant
Origin:
This ant is native to Central and South America, but now is found in Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, and North America in Florida, California, and Hawaii.
Biology:
This is one of the “tramp” ant species that easily moves from place to place with infested materials, in particular in soils with plants that are imported from other regions. It was common in Florida early in the 1900’s but was minimized in importance with the use of early synthetic insecticides, such as chlorinated hydrocarbons. With the loss of most of these products as well as organophosphates the ant has re-emerged as a serious problem in Florida. They establish nests under
- Latin Name: Tapinoma sessile
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Odorous House Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Native to North America, and found throughout much of southern Canada, all of the U.S., and into Mexico.
Biology:
This is a single node ant that may easily be confused with the Argentine Ant, but when viewed from above the single node of the Odorous house ant is not visible, as it is tucked up against the abdomen. It also is a shinier black color. The name is derived from the strong odor given off when the ants are crushed, said to resemble rotting coconuts. Workers are all the same size and forage in long, distinct