Ant Identification
Common Ants in Southern Illinois
Keep an eye out for ants in your Southern Illinois home ! Entomologists have documented around 170 unique ant species in Southern Illinois. Some of the most common include; Carpenter ants, known for damaging wood, and odorous house ants, attracted to sweets and moisture, are some common culprits. Fire ants, with their painful stings, can also be a problem outdoors, especially near their telltale mounded nests.
Fire Ants
Fire ants, members of the genus Solenopsis, are notorious insects known for their aggressive behavior and painful stings. Belonging to the family Formicidae, they exhibit a wide distribution across various continents, thriving in warm climates. They are extremely popular in Southern Illinois yards. Characterized by their reddish-brown coloration and segmented bodies, fire ants are formidable adversaries in the insect world. Despite their diminutive size, they pose significant threats to both humans and other animals.
With a lifespan of around 5 to 7 years, fire ants are highly adaptable creatures capable of establishing expansive colonies with millions of individuals.Their reproductive prowess allows them to quickly replenish their numbers, with queens laying hundreds of eggs daily. These colonies exhibit a complex social structure, with workers tirelessly gathering food and defending the nest.
Fire ants are opportunistic feeders, consuming a diverse array of food including insects, seeds, fruits, and even small vertebrates. Their scavenging behavior can lead them into urban areas, where they may invade homes, gardens, and agricultural fields in search of sustenance.
As temperatures rise in Southern Illinois and conditions become favorable, fire ants become more active, making them a prevalent pest during warmer months. Their ability to inflict painful stings and their propensity for aggressive behavior make them a nuisance to your Southern Illinois Home and Yard.
Crazy Ants
Crazy ants, members of the genus Nylanderia, are peculiar insects known for their erratic movement and invasive behavior. Belonging to the family Formicidae, they have a broad distribution across various regions, particularly thriving in warm and humid climates. They are becoming increasingly prevalent in Southern Illinois. Characterized by their dark brown to black coloration and erratic, quick movements, crazy ants are formidable competitors in the insect world. Despite their small size, they pose significant challenges to both humans and other animals.
With a lifespan ranging from a few months to a year, crazy ants are highly adaptable creatures capable of establishing expansive colonies with thousands of individuals. Their reproductive capabilities allow them to rapidly increase their numbers, with queens laying numerous eggs regularly. These colonies exhibit a complex social structure, with workers tirelessly foraging for food and protecting the nest.
Crazy ants are opportunistic feeders, consuming a diverse array of food including insects, fruits, honeydew, and even household items. Their scavenging behavior often leads them into urban areas, where they may invade homes, gardens, and agricultural fields in search of sustenance.
As temperatures rise in Southern Illinois and conditions become favorable, crazy ants become more active, making them a prevalent nuisance during warmer months. Their ability to invade electrical equipment and their propensity for forming large infestations make them a significant pest to your Southern Illinois home and yard.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants, members of the genus Tetramorium, are common insects known for their territorial behavior and persistent nature. Belonging to the family Formicidae, they have a widespread distribution across various regions, particularly thriving in urban environments. They are frequently found in Southern Illinois driveways and sidewalks. Characterized by their dark brown to black coloration and segmented bodies, pavement ants are tenacious competitors in the insect world.
With a lifespan of around several months to a few years, pavement ants are highly adaptable creatures capable of establishing expansive colonies with thousands of individuals.
Pavement ants are opportunistic feeders, consuming a diverse array of food including insects, seeds, fruits, and human food waste. Their scavenging behavior often leads them into urban areas, where they may invade homes, sidewalks, and gardens in search of sustenance
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants, members of the genus Camponotus, are notable insects known for their wood-destroying habits and large size. Belonging to the family Formicidae, they exhibit a wide distribution across various continents, thriving in diverse climates
Characterized by their black or dark brown coloration and segmented bodies, carpenter ants are formidable adversaries in the insect world.
With a lifespan of around 6 to 12 weeks for workers and up to several years for queens, carpenter ants are highly adaptable creatures capable of establishing expansive colonies with thousands of individuals. Their reproductive prowess allows them to quickly replenish their numbers, with queens laying hundreds of eggs throughout their lifetimes. These colonies exhibit a complex social structure, with workers tirelessly excavating wood, foraging for food, and defending the nest.
Carpenter ants are opportunistic feeders, consuming a diverse array of food including insects, plant juices, fruits, and human food scraps. Unlike termites, they do not eat wood but carve out galleries within it to establish their nests, which can lead to structural damage in homes and buildings.
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Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants, members of the genus Tapinoma, are notable insects known for their distinctive odor when crushed and their persistent foraging behavior. Belonging to the family Formicidae, they exhibit a wide distribution across various regions, thriving in diverse climates. They are particularly common in Southern Illinois. Characterized by their dark black coloration and segmented bodies, odorous house ants are resilient competitors in the insect world.
With a lifespan of around several months to a year, odorous house ants are highly adaptable creatures capable of establishing expansive colonies oftentimes inside of Southern Illinois homes. These colonies exhibit a complex social structure, with workers tirelessly foraging for food and defending the nest.
Odorous house ants are opportunistic feeders, consuming a diverse array of food including insects, sweets, fruits, and human food waste. Their scavenging behavior often leads them into urban areas, where they may invade homes, kitchens, and gardens in search of sustenance.
Argentine Ant
Argentine ants, members of the genus Linepithema, are notorious insects known for their aggressive foraging behavior and large colonies. Belonging to the family Formicidae, they exhibit a wide distribution across various continents, thriving in warm and humid climates. They are extremely popular in Southern Illinois. Characterized by their light to dark brown coloration and segmented bodies.
Argentine ants are known for their massive colonies, containing anywhere from a few hundred thousand to over a million workers and hundreds of queens.expand_more This impressive size is due to their low aggression towards other Argentine ants, allowing them to work together effectively.expand_more These opportunistic feeders are not picky eaters and will consume a variety of things, but they particularly love sugary foods and honeydew produced by insects like aphids.
