Ghost ant
Scientific Name: Tapinoma melanocephalum
Order & Family: Order: Hymenoptera; Family: Formicidae
Size: Worker ants are very small, approximately 1.3 to 1.5 mm (0.05 to 0.06 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
In tropical and subtropical regions, they nest outdoors in soil, under bark, or in plant cavities. In temperate climates, they live indoors in wall voids, behind baseboards, and in potted plants.
Diet & Feeding
Opportunistic feeders that prefer sweets and honeydew produced by aphids; they also eat grease and insects.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly mobile and frequently move their nest sites. They are known for their erratic, fast-running movements when disturbed and often form 'budding' colonies with multiple queens.
Risks & Benefits
Primarily a nuisance household pest that can contaminate food. They do not sting and their bite is generally not painful to humans. They play a minor ecological role in scavenging and aphid management.
Identified on: 1/10/2026