Ant

Natural Habitat

Highly variable, found in almost all terrestrial habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, urban areas, and homes. They often build nests underground, in wood, or in mounds.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; diet varies greatly by species. Many consume nectar, seeds, fungi, other insects (both living and dead), and honeydew produced by aphids. Some are scavengers, while others are active predators.

Behavior Patterns

Ants are highly social insects that live in colonies ranging in size from a few dozen to millions. They exhibit complex social structures with distinct castes (queen, workers, males). Workers perform various tasks including foraging, nest maintenance, and caring for the young. They communicate using pheromones and touch, and some species display elaborate behaviors like farming fungi or herding aphids.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Some species can be pests in homes, contaminating food. Fire ants deliver painful, venomous stings. Carpenter ants can damage wooden structures. Benefits: Ants play crucial ecological roles as scavengers, seed dispersers, and predators of other insects, helping to control pest populations. They also contribute to soil aeration and nutrient cycling.

Identified on: 10/12/2025