
Community identification
Ghost ant
Tapinoma melanocephalum
- Order & Family
- Hymenoptera, Formicidae
- Size
- Extremely small, approximately 1.3 to 1.5 mm long.
Natural Habitat
Typically found in tropical and subtropical regions; indoors, they nest in wall voids, behind baseboards, or in flowerpots.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; they prefer sweets and honeydew produced by aphids or mealybugs, but also consume protein in the form of small insects.
Behavior Patterns
Known for their erratic, high-speed movement when disturbed. They are a tramp species that often form satellite colonies with multiple queens.
Risks & Benefits
Primarily a nuisance household pest that can contaminate food; they do not sting and their bite is usually too weak for humans to feel.