Ant

Natural Habitat

Found in a wide range of habitats worldwide, from forests and grasslands to urban environments. They typically live in colonies underground, in mounds, or within trees and structures.

Diet & Feeding

Ants have a very diverse diet. Many are omnivorous, feeding on nectar, seeds, fungi, other insects (both living and dead), and honeydew produced by aphids. Some species are specialized predators or herbivores.

Behavior Patterns

Ants are highly social insects, living in colonies that can range from a few dozen to millions of individuals. Colonies typically consist of one or more queens, sterile female workers, and reproductive males. They exhibit complex behaviors including foraging, nest building, defense, and division of labor. Communication often occurs through chemical signals (pheromones).

Risks & Benefits

Risks include nuisance infestations in homes, destruction of property (e.g., carpenter ants), and painful bites or stings from some species (e.g., fire ants). Benefits include aeration of soil, pest control by preying on other insects, and seed dispersal for plants. They are also important decomposers in many ecosystems.

Identified on: 11/27/2025