Identification
Ants can be recognized from other insects because they have a narrow waist
with one or two joints (nodes) between the thorax and abdomen. Also, ants have
elbowed antennae. Winged reproductives have four wings with the first pair
being much larger in size than the hind pair.
Ants are frequently confused with termites. However, termites have a broad
waist between the thorax and the abdomen. Termite reproductives have four
wings of equal size
.
Biology
Ants are social insects. Two castes (workers and reproductives - queens and
males) can be found in most colonies. Worker ants, which are sterile females,
are seldom winged. They often are extremely variable in size and appearance
within a given species (monomorphic - one form; dimorphic - two forms;
polymorphic - many forms). The function of the worker is to construct, repair,
and defend the nest; and feed the immature and adult ants of the colony,
including the queen.
Queens normally have wings but lose them after mating. The primary function of
the queen is reproduction; however, in some of the more highly specialized
ants the queen cares for and feeds the first brood of workers on her salivary
secretions. The queen may live for many years and in some species is replaced
by a daughter queen. Depending on the species, ants can have one or more
queens.
The male is usually winged and retains its wings until death. The sole
function of the male is to mate with an unfertilized female reproductive.
After mating occurs, the male dies. Males are produced in old or very large
colonies where there is an abundance of food. After reaching maturity, the
male usually doesn't remain in the colony very long.
Ants have an egg, larva, pupa, and adult stage. Eggs are almost microscopic in
size and hatch into soft legless larvae. Larvae are fed by workers on
predigested, regurgitated food. Most larvae are fed liquids, although some
older larvae are able to chew and digest solids. The pupa resembles the adult
except that it is soft, uncolored and immobile. In many ant species the pupa
is in a cocoon spun by the larva. Six weeks to 2 months are required for
development from egg to adult in some species.
Ants establish new colonies by two main methods: flights of winged
reproductives and budding. The most common method is for male and female
reproductives to leave the nest on mating flights. The mated queen constructs
a cavity or cell and rears a brood unaided by workers. The small first brood
workers then forage for food. The colony grows in size and numbers as more
young are produced.
Budding occurs when one or more queens leave the nest accompanied by workers
who aid in establishing and caring for the new colony. Some of the most
difficult ant species to control spread colonies by budding.
Food Preferences
Most ants eat a wide variety of foods, although some have specialized tastes.
Fire ants feed on honeydew, sugars, proteins, oils, seeds, plants and
insects.Ants use scouts to locate food. When a scouting ant finds promising
food, she carries it or a piece of it back to the nest. Some ants leave scent
trails that others can follow to the food source. Ants require water and will
travel some distance for it if necessary. Workers are able to bring water to
the colony in their stomachs.
Control
Prevention. The best approach to ant control in the home is cleanliness. Any
type of food or food particles can attract and provide food for ants. Store
food in tight containers. Remove plants that can attract ants or control
aphids, whiteflies and other insects that produce honeydew. Reduce moisture
sources, including condensation and leaks.
Inspection. Location of the nest is the key to control because ants are social
insects. Large numbers of individual ants can be killed without ever solving
the problem. Determine the kind of ant species. Most species of ants never
enter buildings; others build their nests near buildings and forage indoors.
Others usually nest indoors.
Keep a record of where ants have been seen. Some ants follow definite trails.
If possible, follow these trails to the nest. Placement of attractive
materials, such as jelly, oils, protein and other materials can attract large
numbers of ants so they can be followed to their nest.
Often children like to watch ants and can be very useful in tracing their
trails. Outdoors, ant nests can often be located by seeing ant hills on the
ground. Some ants deposit earth on the soil surface when they construct the
nest. Fire ants and certain other ants build conspicuous mounds. Nests may
also be constructed next to or under the house foundation, under sidewalks,
driveways and patios, or in decaying logs or tree trunks.
Indoors, ants may nest in walls, behind a baseboard or under the house. Often
ant trails enter through a crack but the nest may be some distance away. Some
ants may also nest in decayed or rotting wood in the house.
Copyright Information
This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food
and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida.
UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free
reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service
and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use
these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that
full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and
date of publication.
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