Page 30 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

BIGHEADED ANT BIGHEADED ANT
FEEDING ON MEAT

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- 12 segmented w/3 segmented club 6.Thorax- one pair of spines BIGHEADED ANT
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- 2 segmented, 2 nodes
3.Head- very large on soldier only 8.Abdomen 3 6 7
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- light to dark brown 8
5.Wings- only on alates 10.Other- body sparsely covered with hairs 1
Life Cycle
There can be multiple queens in a colony, and both minor workers and soldiers
(major workers). Queens can lay a few hundred eggs each month. Eggs take 4
2-4 weeks to hatch into larvae, which go another 3-4 weeks to become pupae.
The pupae take 10-20 days to become adults. Swarming takes place in the
winter and spring. The Bigheaded Ant only has a life span of one to 2 1/2
months. Drawing by Andrew Schaible
BIGHEADED ANT Actual size 1/8”

The Bigheaded Ant is considered a tramp species that has adapted very well in Florida—in fact it is
displacing many other species of ants, especially the Imported Fire Ant and the White-footed Ant. It has
become a difficult pest to control in structures. It is sometimes confused with termites because it can
make a foraging tube in the soil. The name comes from the soldier, which has an unusually large head.
It is found throughout southern Florida, and is working its way into the central and northern portions of
the state. They will go after honeydew, dead insects, worms, caterpillars, seeds, grease, peanut butter,
meat, juices, and pet food. There are usually numerous colonies in a relatively small area, but there
are only a few hundred ants in each colony. The nests are made in soil under rocks, wood, blocks, leaf
debris—just about anything that provides protection.

1.Antenna-segmented with club 6.Thorax- uneven with spines ACROBAT ANT
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- two nodes
3.Head 8.Abdomen- heart shaped 1 6 7 10
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- light brown to black
5.Wings- alates only 10.Other- has stinger

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Life Cycle 4
Winged male and female swarmers will usually emerge from an old
colony in the fall, but in some years they will swarm as early as June.
The swarmers are fertile, and go out to establish new colonies. Drawing by Andrew Schaible

ACROBAT ANT Actual size 1/8”
The Acrobat Ant will eat a wide variety of foods, especially sweets, and they seem to prefer the honey-
dew from aphids, scale, or mealybugs. They will also go after many types of insects for a protein meal.
They establish nests outdoors under rocks, or they can tunnel into dead wood such as firewood piles
or decaying trees. Acrobat Ants will also establish nests indoors in wall spaces or where wood is damp.
They are usually colored from light brownish to black, and will bite and/or emit a strong odor if disturbed.
Acrobat Ants are about 1/8th inch long and have a stinger. The unusual name comes from their distinct
way of holding their abdomen higher than the rest of the body when they are threatened, much like an
acrobat’s balancing act.

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