
Community identification
Ghost ant
Tapinoma melanocephalum
- Order & Family
- Hymenoptera, Formicidae
- Size
- Tiny individuals, usually 1.3 to 1.5 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Inhabits warm climates and indoor environments, often making nests in wall voids, baseboards, and flowerpots.
Diet & Feeding
Opportunistic feeders that prefer sweets, honeydew from aphids, and occasionally insects.
Behavior Patterns
Highly mobile and known for erratic, jerky movement when disturbed. They form large, multi-queen colonies and frequently relocate their nests.
Risks & Benefits
Primarily a nuisance pest in homes. They do not sting and their bite is usually unnoticed, but they can contaminate food and transport pathogenic bacteria.