
Community identification
Acrobat Ant
Crematogaster spp.
- Order & Family
- Order: Hymenoptera; Family: Formicidae
- Size
- Workers are generally 2.5 mm to 4 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Typically found in dead wood, hollow stems, or under rocks; frequently nests in structural voids or rotted wood of buildings.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; they feed on honeydew from aphids and mealybugs, as well as live and dead insects and protein/sugar-rich human food scraps.
Behavior Patterns
Characterized by raising their heart-shaped abdomen over their head and thorax when threatened. They are highly active during the day and form distinct foraging trails.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: They act as decomposers and natural pest control by eating other insects. Risks: They can be a nuisance in homes and may occasionally tunnel into damp or damaged wood, though they are not as destructive as carpenter ants.