Identifying Important Ants Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved Chapter 2 Section IV of the Pest Bear & Affiliates

Identifying ImportantAnts

Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

Chapter 2Section IV

of the

Pest Bear & AffiliatesService Personnel Development Program

2005

Introduction

Ants have become the most important household pest encountered by the Professional Pest Control Operator replacing cockroaches. They are not only difficult to control, but they are also difficult to identify. With the increased importance placed on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) the professional pest control operator must increase his ability to identify ants; understand their habits, food preferences, and behavioral characteristics; and then be capable of selecting the “best” set of control and monitoring procedures.

There are in excess of 8,800 described species of ants in the world today and approximately 670 species are known to inhabit the United States. Fortunately, fewer than 30 species regularly infest structures and only 10 species are considered to be major pests.


Introduction

Ants live in all environments, from the Artic to the Tropics, from sea level to above the timber line in mountains, and they can survive very well when it is wet or dry. Their ability to adapt exceeds all other species and this contributes greatly to the difficulty in controlling them as a pest animal.

Ants are also very long-lived, with some colonies may out live a generation of man. Workers have been known to live 4-7 years and queens have been known to survive for 15 years.

When dealing with pest species, which are extremely adaptable, correct identification of the species is critical to the success or failure of any control process.


What can help you identify Ants

To make a proper identification, you have to be able to see the animal or evidence of the animal. To insure this, we suggest you have a good hand-lens or microscope. Since most of the identifying you will do is in the field, the hand-lens is more functional.

Also include a pair of tweezers, a clear vial filled with alcohol, and a pictorial guide, such as The Pest Ants of Florida, which is available from the Florida Pest Management Assn at a very nominal cost. This guide book is an excellent reference for each service vehicle.


What do you do after you Identify the Ants

Identification of the ants will not bring the situation under control, and the majority of the time, where you found the ants to identify is not where they live. You must find the location of the colony before you can control the infestation.

To find the colony, you generally will have to know the behavioral characteristics, normal nesting characteristics, and food preferences. It will also be very helpful to recognize common complaints issued by property owners because these will act as guides to identification and location.

Ants are very easy to “kill” but they can be extremely difficult to “control”, more than one good account has been lost because the ants were not “controlled”.


Know the difference between Ants and Termites

Ants have elbowed antennae

Termites have bead-like antennae



Ants four wingstwo largetwo small

Termites four wingsall the same length



Ants have a waist between the thorax and the abdomen

Termites have no waist between the thorax and abdomen



Antennae

Wings

Waist

This comparison makes for quick

and easy identification


Elbowed antennaeSize/number of antennal segments Body size and shapeColor and color patterns

Number of on the pedicel

Three distinct body segments

Four wings of unequal size

Ocelli or simple eyes

It is important to recognize the specific characteristics of the ant anatomy


There are 17 commonly found species

Acrobat Ant Argentine Ant Bicolored Trailing Ant Big Headed Ant Black Carpenter Ant Crazy Ant Destructive Trailing Ant Elongated Twig Ant Florida Carpenter Ant

Florida Harvester Ant Ghost Ant Little Fire Ant Pharaoh’s Ant Pyramid Ant Red Imported Fire Ant Rover Ant White-Footed Ant

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Acrobat antCrematogaster ashmeadi

A medium sized, shiny ant with a heart-shaped abdomen

The abdomen is is often bent over the thorax when the ant is disturbed

May range in color from reddish brown to brown to black

Moves at a slow to moderate speed

May forage in tight foraging trails and may occur in large numbers



Are 1/10-1/8 inch long

Have a heart-shaped abdomen

Have a two-segmented petiole

Does not always sting



Arboreal ants and nest in branches, stems or cavities of trees or shrubs

Commonly found nesting in rotten logs and stumps

In structures, they normally nest in damaged wood on porches or under eaves

They have a single queen per nest but a single colony may occupy multiple nest sites

Uncommon indoors and control often focuses on limiting access



Feeds on living and dead insects

Collect honeydew from sap-sucking insects

When found in structures, are foraging for sweets and proteins


Argentine antLinepithem humile

A medium sized ant with a slender body

Uniformly light brown to brownGive off a stale, musty odor when

crushedVery often occur in large numbers

when they are trailingAnts in the foraging trails have a

tendency to move quicklyCommonly found in outdoor

eating areas and have been found in cars



Are 1/11-1/10 inch long

Have a 12 segmented antennae without a club

Have a one segmented petiole

Have no body hairs on the thorax

Do not sting



Have multiple queens in many colonies

Colonies and subcolonies may have millions of ants and dominate the area

Nest in mulch and soil, under objects on the soil, and near tree roots

Are commonly found in trees, rotten wood and garbage piles



They can have many foragers both inside and outdoors

Do not normally nest indoorsHave no nuptial flights and

reproduce and spread by budding only

Alate of winged queens are frequently found in the colonies from April to mid-June

Tend sap-sucking insects and collect honeydew

Forage flower nectars outdoorsForage on sweets and proteins

inside


Bicolored Trailing antMonomorium floricola

Tiny, elongate, slender ant

Bicolored, with black head and abdomen and light brown thorax

Forage in tight, slow moving foraging trail

Small size and distinct coloration makes identification easy



1/18-1/14 inch long

Have a 12 segmented antennae with 3 segmented club

Have 2 segmented petiole

Color pattern is distinct



Nests have multiple queens

Often found nesting in hollow twigs and branches

Are commonly found in the dry stems of grasses and herbs

Have been known to nest in wall voids in structures

Have no nuptial flights

Reproduction is by budding only

The queens never have wings



Commonly found in structures feeding on crumbs in the kitchen

Feed on living and dead insects


Forage flower nectars outdoors

Forage on sweets and proteins inside


Big Headed antPheidole megacephala

Small light brown to reddish brown to near black in color

Often forage in columns

There are two worker sizes

The larger worker is a worker-soldier and is rare

Larger size worker is called a major and has a head larger than their body

A slow moving ant



Worker is 1/10 inch long and majors are 1/7 inch long

Have a 12 segmented antennae with 3 segmented club

Front of head is sculpted and back half is smooth and shiny

Have a 2 segmented petiole

Has spines on the thorax



Nest in the soil or under objects such as stones, logs, or debris

Foraging trails are sometimes covered with soil and resemble subterranean termite tunnels

Multiple queens are found in mega colonies with multiple subnests



They forage both inside and outdoors

They leave piles of sand and debris when foraging indoors





Reproduce by budding


Black Carpenter antCamponotus pennsylvanicus

A large to very large ant

Similar to the Florida Carpenter ant but black

Covered with long yellowish or white hairs

Forages alone or in loose trails

Have many different sizes of workers

Produce a strong formic acid odor when crushed



1/4-1/2 inch long and black in color

12 segmented antennae with no club

Abdomen with long pale yellow or white hairs

No stinger

End of abdomen with ring of hairs



There is one queen per nest

Nest in dead or living trees, rotting logs, and stumps

May nest in damaged or hollow wood in structures

Can damage sound structural timbers







Have nuptial flights in the spring and summer


Crazy antParatrechina longicornis

Medium size reddish-brown to grayish or blackish color

Workers are all similar in size

Run erratically and quickly

Are long and slender with land antennae and legs

Usually seen in large numbers

Erratic running makes it difficult to discriminate distinct trails



1/12-1/8 inch long

12 segmented antennae without a club

One petiole segment

No stinger

Abdomen with circular ring of hairs at tip

Long and slender antennae and legs

Generally have white hairs on the thorax



Nest in soil or under object resting on the ground

Commonly found in potted plants, toys and bags of soil

Nests are transitory and relocate regularly

Ants are seen carrying brood

May have wings but have never been known to fly




Collect honeydew from sap-sucking insects and plants

Will collect seeds

Forage into homes for sweets, proteins, fats and other crumbs

Prefer protein in summer and sweets in spring and fall

Often forage for long distances and nests may be difficult to locate


Destructive Trailing antMonomorium destructor

Small to medium size ant with variable worker size

Bicolored with yellowish-orange to light brown and shiny

Larger workers have head broader than long

Slow moving and follow narrow trails



1/4-1/8 inch long with distinct coloration

Polymorphic – many size workers

Sides of the thorax are sculptured

Sparse body hair



Have large colonies with multiple queens

Nest in the soil or in building

Known to damage fabrics and rubber insulation surrounding wires



Forage on sweets, fats and protein in structures


Elongate Twig antPseudomyrmex gracilis

A large, slender, solitary ant often seen in or around vegetation

Resembles a wasp in appearance and movement.

Has a bicolored head and abdomen with a mauve to black color

Remained of the body is dull orange with dark markings

Darts quickly if collection is attempted

Has large oval eyes



5/16 – 2/5 inch long

Twelve-segmented antennae

Bicolored

Two-segmented petiole

Scattered erect hairs on head and body



Has a single queen per nestNests are small and only have a

few individualsNest in hollow twigs and dried

grassNest has a single small entrance

holeOften nest in large treesSting can be very painfulHas nuptial flights in March, and

May to NovemberAlates are rarely seen



Hunt live insects

Feed on honeydew from sap-sucking insects

Primarily a pest because the fall from trees and sting individuals when they get trapped under clothing

Very seldom found in structures and control is unnecessary or imparctical


Florida Carpenter antCamponotus floridanus

A large to very large orange and black ant

Have many sized workers that follow loose foraging trails

Workers can emit formic acidAre mainly nocturnalFemale reproductives are similar

in appearance to the workers but have wings folded over their back

Males have small head and larger wings




Have no sting

Abdomen with circular ring of hair


One petiole segment

Major worker has an enlarged head



Have single queen per nest

Nest in dead tree branches, rotting logs, stumps, and under yard objects

Do little excavation and will nest in existing voids and in attics

Does no structural damage

Presence may indicate previous structural damage

Satellite colonies are common



Hunt live insects and scavenge dead insects

Tend sap-sucking insects and collect their honeydew

Forage for sweets and protein in homes

Swarmers are often mistaken for termites

May bite if handled

Controlled with baits or locating nest and applying insecticide


Florida Harvester antPogonomyrmex badius

Large, dull reddish-brown ant

Many sized workers

Largest workers are rarely seen

Have a very painful sting

Are not aggressive

Foragers leave nest in large trails and disperse to forage alone

Collect seeds

Recruit other foragers when a food supply has been discovered



1/4 - 2/5 inch long



Polymorphic, have many sized workers

Have long hairs under their head which are used to carry sand



The nest is in the ground and have characteristic large, flat disks

Nest are kept free of vegetation

Single entrance may have a collection of objects around it, such as pebbles

A single queen per nest

Nest in full sun in sandy soils

Nests are relocated in response to shading



Scavenge for dead insects

Scavenge for seeds

May collect seeds directly from plants

Swarm from May thru June

Swarms normally occur in late afternoon following a rain


Ghost antTapinoma melanocephalum

Tiny ant with dark head and pale abdomen and legs

Thorax is often dark

Runs very quickly and erratically when disturbed

May or may not trail

When trailing, some workers may been seen carrying the brood

Workers emit an acid, coconut-like odor when crushed



1/20 – 1/14 inch long

Antennae extend well in front of the head

One petiole segment

Four segments of abdomen visible from above

No Sting



Have multiple queens spread out through multiple subcolonies

Usually nest in disturbed areas such as flower pots, under loose bark or at the base of palm frons

Indoors will nest in very small cracks such as between books or in wall voids

They are very common household pests




Tend sap-sucking insects and collect their honeydew

Forage for sweets and proteins in homes

Have flightless queens

Commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms

Best control is with baits


Little Fire antWasmannia auropunctata

Tiny golden to light brown ant

Not shiny and slow moving

No large-headed workers

Have a painful sting

Have a distinctive ridge over the eye and antennae which can be seen with magnification



1/16 inch long

Eleven-segmented antennae with a three-segmented club

Spines on the epinotal close to the base

Two segmented petiole

Head and body highly sculptured



Multiple queens

Nest in exposed soil, leaf litter, rotten wood, or under objects left on the ground

Forage on vegetation and on fruit trees

Have a painful long-lasting sting

Found indoors and outdoors




Tend sap-sucking insects

Feed on nectaries

Forage for proteins and fats indoors

Reproduce by budding

Very difficult to control outdoors


Pharaoh’s antMonomorium pharaonis

Very small honey colored to reddish ant

Abdomen may be black on the end

Make conspicuous foraging trails

A very common ant indoors

A severe pest in hospitals and nursing homes



1/12 inch long

Twelve-segmented antennae with three-segmented clubwith each segment increasing in size


Head, thorax and petiole dull

Monomorphic



Multiple queens and multiple subcolonies

Reproduce only by budding

Nest inside buildings in cracks and crevices

Can nest between sheets of paper

A severe pest in hospitals and can be a vector for pathogenic bacteria

Found almost worldwide



Eats living and dead insects

Forages for sweets, fats and protein indoors

Have no flights

Reproduce only by budding

A severe pest in homes

Are best controlled with baits


Pyramid antDorymyrmex spp.

A medium sized, slender, elongated ant

Pale orange to dark brown in color

Forage singly and move very quickly

Nest in distinctive cone-shaped mound in sandy soil

Nests are not large

Workers have a strong coconut-like odor when crushed





Has a tooth-like protuberance on the projecting vertically on thorax

Has long hairs used for carrying pellets of damp sand under the head



Nest in the soil and prefer sandy soil

Typical nest has a single entrance surrounded by a crater-shaped mound of soil

Have a single queen per nest



Hunt live insects, including winged fire ants


Create crater nests in open areas of the yard

Swarm year-round or in fall or spring, depending on the species

Active in warm humid weather


Red Imported Fire antSolenopsis invicta

Small to large reddish ant with dark brown abdomen

Multiple worker sizes

Often forage in distinct trails

Mounds are dome-like with many openings

Are very aggressive if disturbed

Have a long-lasting sting that leaves pustules

Should be controlled in the yard



1/8-1/4 inch long

Ten-segmented antennae with two-segmented club


Polymorphic



Nest in exposed soil, especially bordering concrete or pavement

Nests are rebuilt after a rain and have a sponge-like surface

Nest have single queen in most areas, but multiple queen nests can be found

Swarms occur in early summerMigrating swarmers remove their

wings and congregate in the ground or around objects



Hunt living insects or scavenge dead insects


Have been known to kill ground nesting birds

Forage for sweets, proteins and fats in structures

Sometimes are attracted to piles of dirty laundry


Rover antBrachymyrmex spp.

Tiny to small antsDark brown to pale blond in colorCommonly seen running up and

down vertical objects in the yard

Commonly found in large numbers in swimming pools with swollen bodies that look striped

Winged female is three times larger than workers

Males are small enough to fit through screens



1/16-1/12 inch long

Nine-segmented antennae

One-segmented petiole

No sting



Nest under stones in the soil or in rotting wood

Feed on honeydew

Swarm in the spring and summer

Primarily a problem when found floating in swimming pools or coming through screens into patios


White-Footed antTechnomyrmex albipes

Many small to medium sized black ants foraging in tight trails

Tend honeydew producing insects and will run in erratically if disturbed

Do not carry their abdomen over their body

Have white feet



1/10 –1/8 inch long

Black to brown in color


Feet and antennae tips are white

No sting

Five abdominal segments visible from above



Nests are usually outside

Nests are numerous and arboreal

Nests are readily abandoned and relocated if disturbed

Colonies may have hundreds of queens spread over many subcolonies

Wingless reproductives are hard to distinguish from workers

Reproduction of colonies is by swarming or budding



Feed on honeydew and scale insects

Commonly found feeding on nectaries

Also feed on dead animals, pet food and table scraps

Larvae feed on trophic eggs

Swarm from summer to mid-winter

Swarms occur in later afternoon and appear to be clouds of very small ants

Are attracted to lights at night

A potentially major pest in homesCopyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

Documents

Identifying Important Ants Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved Chapter 2 Section IV of the Pest Bear & Affiliates