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ANTS

A hymenopterous insect of the Linn[ae]an genus Formica, which is now made a family of several genera.

Note: Among ants, there are neuter or working ants, besides the males and females; the former are without wings. Ants live together in swarms, usually raising hillocks of earth, variously chambered within, where they maintain a perfect system of order of storing their provisions, and nurturing their young. There are many species, with diverse habits. The white ants or Termites belong to the Neuroptera.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.






Photo by Neil Reimer, Hawaii State Dept. of Agriculture.
www.hear.org

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Argentine Ant 
Linepithema humile

Characteristics – 
Workers of this species are about 1/8-inch in length.

Color:  Varies from dark brown to black, and the body is often shiny in appearance.

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Photo by Neil Reimer, Hawaii
State Dept. of Agriculture. www.hear.org

Big-Headed Ant
Pheidole megacephala

Characteristics – 
This type of ant has two distinct sizes of workers. The larger ones, called major workers, typically range in size from 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch in length, depending on the species. The major worker is easily identified by the extremely large size of its head in comparison to its body. The head of the minor worker is in proportion to its body.

Color: Most are reddish brown in color.

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Photo by Neil Reimer, Hawaii
State Dept. of Agriculture. www.hear.org

Carpenter Ant
Camponotus variegatus

Characteristics – 
Size can be up to 5/8-inch long.

Color: Varies from black, brown and black, red and black, to light brown depending on the species.The two most common pest species are black in color.

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Photo by Neil Reimer, Hawaii
State Dept. of Agriculture. www.hear.org

Fire Ant
Solenopsis geminata

Characteristics – 
Size ranges from 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch in length. You can tell it apart from other ants if you are unlucky enough to be stung.

Color:  Reddish brown.


Photo courtesy Hawaii
State Dept. of Agriculture.

Little Fire Ant
Wasmannia auropunctata

Characteristics – 
Size is less than 1mm. It is a tiny, slow-moving ant that lives primarily in small clusters numbering a few dozen to a few hundred crawling on the ground, under rocks and potted plants, in cracks and crevices, under leaf litter or stones, or on ornamental trees and foliage. It is also a nuisance pest indoors. Its sting is believed to be one of the most painful, in comparison to the other six small stinging ants that are already established in Hawaii.

Color: Brownish-orange.

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Photo by Neil Reimer, Hawaii
State Dept. of Agriculture. www.hear.org

Ghost Ant
Tapinoma melanocephalum

Characteristics – 
Also known as the "tiny yellow house ant," this ant is usually less than 1/16-inch in length.

Color:  Pale, though bicolored and black head with yellow abdomen and thorax .

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Photo by Neil Reimer, Hawaii
State Dept. of Agriculture. www.hear.org

White-Footed Ant
Technomyrmex albipes

Characteristics – 
About 1/8-inch in length. These ants nest outdoors under items on the ground, within landscape mulch, beneath loose bark on trees, under ground cover, in potted plants, and within piles of items. Nests may also be readily established inside homes in walls, beneath carpeting, and in other suitable voids or spaces.

Color:  Brown to black with white feet (not easily seen) .

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