Bug Identifier
Ghost ant
Community identification

Ghost ant

Tapinoma melanocephalum

Order & Family
Hymenoptera, Formicidae
Size
Extremely small, approximately 1.3 to 1.5 mm long.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.