Bug Identifier
Ant
Community identification

Ant

Formicidae (family)

Order & Family
Order: Hymenoptera; Family: Formicidae
Size
0.75 to 52 mm (0.03 to 2.0 in) depending on the species.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found globally in almost every terrestrial habitat including gardens, homes, forests, and urban environments.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they eat nectar, seeds, fungus, other insects, and household food scraps.

Behavior Patterns

Highly social insects that live in structured colonies with distinct ranks (queen, workers, soldiers) and communicate via pheromones.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits include soil aeration and decomposition of organic matter; risks include household infestation, and some species can sting or damage wooden structures.