Ant

Natural Habitat

Highly adaptable, found in diverse terrestrial habitats including forests, grasslands, deserts, and urban environments. They often build nests in soil, under rocks, in wood, or even in buildings.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; their diet varies greatly but often includes nectar, seeds, fungi, other insects (both living and dead), and even household food scraps. Many species are also known to farm fungi or 'tend' aphids for their honeydew.

Behavior Patterns

Ants are highly social insects living in colonies with distinct castes (queen, workers, males). They exhibit complex behaviors such as sophisticated communication through pheromones, cooperative foraging, nest building, and defense. Their life cycle involves complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Benefits include aeration of soil, seed dispersal, and pest control (predating on other insects). Risks can include structural damage to homes (e.g., carpenter ants), contamination of food, and in some species, painful bites or stings that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Identified on: 11/9/2025