Community identification
Small ant (likely pavement ant)
Tetramorium immigrans
- Order & Family
- Hymenoptera; Formicidae
- Size
- Workers are typically 2.5–4 mm long; the pictured insect appears near the lower end of this range.
Natural Habitat
Common around buildings, sidewalks, lawns, and soil, often nesting beneath pavement, stones, or foundations.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous and opportunistic, feeding on sweets, seeds, dead insects, and other small food scraps.
Behavior Patterns
Social insects living in colonies with queens and workers; workers forage along trails and may enter buildings. Colonies can produce winged reproductives during warm-season mating flights.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless, though they can become nuisance indoor pests and contaminate food. They recycle organic matter, aerate soil, and prey on or scavenge other small insects.