Ant (winged)

Natural Habitat

Ants are found in nearly all terrestrial habitats, from forests and deserts to urban environments. They build nests in soil, under rocks, in wood, or in plants. Winged forms are temporarily airborne during mating flights.

Diet & Feeding

Ant diets vary widely by species. Many are omnivores, feeding on nectar, seeds, fungi, other insects (living or dead), and honeydew from aphids. Some species are specialized predators or herbivores.

Behavior Patterns

Ants are social insects that live in colonies, which can range from a few dozen workers to millions. They are known for their organized labor, including foraging for food, caring for the young, and defending the colony. Mating flights often occur in warm, humid conditions, where winged males and females (alates) emerge from their nests to mate in the air. The alates seen in and around water bodies are typically new queens or males that became disoriented or fell into the water during or after a mating flight.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include painful bites or stings from some species (e.g., fire ants), potential damage to homes or gardens (e.g., carpenter ants), and can be agricultural pests. Benefits include aeration of soil, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and predation on other insect pests.

Identified on: 8/10/2025