Page 34 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

VELVET ANT VELVET ANT
FEMALE

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- straight 6.Thorax- covered with hair VELVET ANT
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- none
3.Head 8.Abdomen- covered with hair 6
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- varied bright colors 3 8
5.Wings- only on males 10.Other- not a true ant

Life Cycle
Eggs are laid on the pupae of wasps, bees, and some beetles. They hatch 1
within days and feed upon their host, then spin a cocoon. When they
emerge, they will prey upon the ground nests of other wasps and bees. 4
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
VELVET ANT Actual size ranges from 1/4” to 7/8”

Velvet Ants are not really ants, but are actually a type of wasp. They live in sandy, arid areas perfect
for the desert environment. They are quite noticeable because of the long velvety hairs that give them
their name. They will prey upon bees and other wasps that nest in the ground, and will be seen run-
ning erratically upon the ground. The females are capable of stinging. Velvet Ants are usually found in
a combination of black, yellow, red, orange, and/or white patterns, and females are wingless. Some fe-
males can make a strange squeaking noise when held but don’t try it unless you can avoid being stung!
These ants range from 1/4 th to 7/8 th inch in length.

1.Antenna- 12 segmented 6.Thorax- uneven
2.Eyes 7.Petiole- one node WHITE FOOTED ANT
3.Head 8.Abdomen- large & tearshaped 1 6 8
4.Legs- 6, colored yellowish-white 9.Color- dark brown to black
5.Wings- on female alates only 10.Other- no stinger
Life Cycle
Colonies can range all the way from a few thousand to a few million individuals.
Half of the colony is comprised of reproducing females, giving it the ability to 4
produce large numbers of ants in a relatively short period of time. The winged
females usually swarm in the summer months. One queen starts a new colony,
more reproductive females eventually take over, and the colony grows. The
nests are usually outside—in trees and bushes, and under mulch. Colonies
quickly branch off, making this a difficult ant to control. Drawing by Andrew Schaible
WHITE FOOTED ANT Actual size 1/10th”

The White Footed Ant is small, only about 1/10 inch, colored dark brown to black with
th
yellowish-white feet, which is how the name came about. It was introduced into Florida in 1986, and
has rapidly spread throughout the southern two-thirds of the state. It will shortly be found in all counties.
It is considered a nuisance ant, as it does not bite or sting, and does no structural damage.
The White Footed Ant will be found in structures, mainly foraging in kitchens and bathrooms. It also
tends insects that produce honeydew when outside. Its favorite foods are sweets and proteins, and it
will also eat dead insects.

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