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Ants
- Latin Name: Tetramorium caespitum
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Pavement Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Believed to originate from either Europe or Asia, but found commonly throughout the east coast states and California, and less commonly in the Midwest.
Biology:
The common name of these ants is derived from their habit of creating nests under asphalt or concrete slabs, pushing small mounds of soil out through cracks and expansion joints. The nests are usually very shallow, and may also be found under debris or objects on the ground, as well as within structures near heat sources in the winter. Activity is generally begun at dusk or later, and the workers forage commonly within structures, where they may feed on greases, pet foods, or sweet materials. Outdoors they feed on honeydew, fruits, or other materials. Swarming
- Latin Name: Monomorium pharaonis
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Pharaoh Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
It is believed to have originated in Africa, but spread to Europe, and from there spread to the United States. It now is found in many parts of the world including the U.S. and Canada, and is a pest in Hawaii. As a tropical species it is most common in the warmer southern states, but inhabits structures in northern areas as well.
Biology:
This tiny ant is a huge problem when it inhabits large structures, and potentially poses a health threat when nesting within hospitals, where the workers may be found on patients. Their feeding habits expose them to many filthy environments, and this leads to their potential as physical vectors of pathogenic organisms. They have a strong
- Latin Name: Liometopum luctuosum
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Pine Tree Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Native to the western United States, where it is found commonly along the western Sierra Nevada mountain range at low elevations.
Biology:
This is a close cousin to the Velvety Tree Ant, but often behaves much like carpenter ants, by excavating cavities within structural wood members. Large accumulations of fine sawdust-like frass are pushed from these nests onto surfaces below. Foraging workers are most often found on trunks of trees, particular pine trees, feeding on other insects and on honeydew from plant feeding pests. Exterior nests will almost always be in wood, such as rotting root systems of trees, hollow trees, old stumps, etc.
Identification:
These are single node ants with workers
- Latin Name: Dorymyrmex sp.
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Pyramid Ant
- Other Names: text
Origin:
Several species of these native North American ants occur here, most often in the warmer southern half of the United States.
Biology:
The pyramid ants are so named due to a single, conical projection on the top of the thorax. They are single node ants which nest primarily in the soil, either in open areas where a circular crater forms around the nest opening, as well as under rocks or logs or other debris on the ground. They do not often invade structures, but may do so occasionally while searching for food. Outdoors they feed on living or dead insects, and are very fond of honeydew from plant feeding insects. Colonies are small, with only a few thousand workers.
Identification:
These are single-node
- Latin Name: Pogonomyrmex barbatus
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Red Harvester Ant
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Numerous species of these ants are native to North America, particularly in the drier, warmer regions of the United States and south into Mexico. There are more than two dozen species known, with only a single species found east of the Mississippi River.
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
- Latin Name: Solenopsis invicta
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Red Imported Fire Ant
- Other Names: RIFA
Origin:
RIFA originated in South America, entered the United States in the southern states around 1930, and spread rapidly to 17 southeastern states. It has since spread to California and isolated incidents have occurred in other states.
Biology:
This double-node ant is one of the worst ant pests in the U.S., in terms of human health, property damage, and environmental damage. Colonies may have several hundred thousand workers and dozens of queens in them, and workers very aggressively defend their nest with stinging. Their nests may be located in equipment, causing damage to it, as well as within structures. Nests most commonly are in the soil, identified by the large mound of soil raised above the surface, and they
- Latin Name: Prenolepis imparis
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Small (False) Honey Ant
- Other Names: Small honey ant, Winter ant
Origin:
Possibly native to North America, this ant is found commonly throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada, but also is common in California.
Biology:
This species is given the name “winter” ant due to its high tolerance for cold weather. It often is active outdoors at temperatures well below freezing, usually foraging at night, but also active on cloudy days as well. It is a single-node ant species whose colonies generally have only a few thousand workers. Nests are normally in the soil, but they may invade structures as well, although nests within structures would be very rare. While protein is needed by the colony their primary food is sugars, with honeydew from plant
- Latin Name: Solenopsis xyloni
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Southern Fire Ant
- Other Names: California fire ant
Origin:
Native to the southwestern United States, and found in California and Arizona.
Biology:
This fire ant is not nearly the pest and health problem of the Red Imported Fire Ant, but as a double node ant it still can sting aggressively. Nesting and activity are generally confined to the outdoors, but foraging or nesting within a structure does occur on occasion. Nests are commonly located under objects or debris on the soil as well as under slabs. Foods consist of a wide variety of protein and carbohydrate materials, including honeydew, fruit and vegetables, other insects, greases, and grains.
Identification:
This species is identified by its red head and thorax and red/black
- Latin Name: Nylanderia fulva
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Tawny Crazy Ant
- Other Names: Rasberry crazy ant
Origin:
These ants previously were believed to be native to the islands of the Caribbean. But, studies in 2012 confirmed that it is a species native to South America. The "common" name disagreement is not completely settled.
Biology:
Beginning around the year 2000 Florida was invaded by this species of aggressive ant, and in 2002 a similar ant showed up in numbers around Houston, Texas. Subsequent studies of these two ants have determined, in 2012, that they are the same species and are the South American species Nylanderia fulva. The previous genus name of Paratrechina, linking it to other native North American crazy ants, was changed to the genus name Nylanderia. The "common" names are a continuing source of
- Latin Name: Atta texana
- Latin Family Name: Formicidae
- Common Name: Texas Leafcutting Ant
- Other Names: Cutter ant, Town ant, Cut ant, Parasol ant, Fungus ant, Night ant
Origin:
This is a native species in Texas and south into Mexico.
Biology:
Leafcutting ants feed only on a fungus that grows on bits of vegetation they gather and store in their underground colonies. However, these ants are active enough to cause serious defoliation of trees and shrubs that they have chosen as their resource in an area. Swarming by males and females occurs in mid to late spring and the winged adults may come to lights at night. New colonies are then established by these newly mated females and may grow and survive for many years, ultimately containing up to 2 million workers and with galleries up to 20 feet deep in the soil. Many entrances to the