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- 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
- 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