Ant (Formicidae)

Natural Habitat

Widely diverse, including forests, deserts, urban environments, and homes. They nest in soil, wood, under rocks, or within structures.

Diet & Feeding

Opportunistic omnivores. Their diet varies greatly by species but often includes nectar, seeds, fungi, other insects (both living and dead), and human food scraps. Some species farm fungi or tend to aphids for honeydew.

Behavior Patterns

Highly social insects living in colonies ranging from a few dozen to millions. They exhibit complex social structures with a queen (or queens) for reproduction, workers for foraging and colony maintenance, and soldiers for defense. They communicate using pheromones and touch, engage in coordinated foraging, and build elaborate nests.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Some species can sting (e.g., fire ants), causing pain or allergic reactions. Others can become household pests, contaminating food or damaging structures (e.g., carpenter ants). Benefits: Ants are important ecosystem engineers, aerating soil, dispersing seeds, and preying on other insects. They also play a role in decomposition and nutrient cycling.

Identified on: 9/6/2025