Community identification
Ant
Formicidae (species not identifiable from the image)
- Order & Family
- Hymenoptera; Formicidae
- Size
- Most ants are about 2–15 mm long; this one appears only a few millimeters long.
Natural Habitat
Ants occur in soil, leaf litter, wood, and buildings; this individual is on an indoor surface.
Diet & Feeding
Diet varies by species and may include sugary liquids, seeds, or small insects and other animal matter.
Behavior Patterns
Social insects that typically live in colonies and follow scent trails; workers forage while queens reproduce.
Risks & Benefits
Most are harmless and beneficial scavengers or predators. Some species contaminate food, bite, or sting; the pictured ant cannot be identified to species.