Page 36 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

PYRAMID ANT PYRAMID ANT

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- segmented 6.Thorax- single tooth forming pyramid PYRAMID ANT
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- single node 7
3.Head 8.Abdomen 1 6
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- reddish brown to black
5.Wings- alates only 10.Other

Life Cycle
Colonies are fairly small, and contain only one queen and a few 4
thousand workers. They only nest in soil, never in structures.
Swarming occurs in early to mid-summer. Drawing Courtesy of Corky’s Pest Control

PYRAMID ANT Actual size 1/8”

The name of this ant comes from a pyramid-like projection on the top of the thorax. Pyramid
Ants are almost 1/8th inch in size, and range in color from brown to black. There is also a bi-
color variety that has a red head and thorax. Typical foods include other insects, and they espe-
cially like sweets. They will tend to aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and other insects that pro-
duce honeydew—one of their favorite foods. They will only rarely even enter a building in search
of food. Pyramid Ants have the ability to produce a rotten coconut smell to fend off predators.

1.Antenna- nine segments 6.Thorax
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- single node, very small ROVER ANT
3.Head- wide 8.Abdomen- humpbacked appearance 1 3 7
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- reddish to dark brown 8
5.Wings- on alates 10.Other- no stinger

Life Cycle
Frequently nests under rocks, in soil, or in decaying wood, but 4
inside structures they will be found around areas of high moisture
such as bathrooms. Colonies are small and have only one queen.
Swarms occur from mid-June to early August. Drawing by Andrew Schaible

Actual size 1/16”
ROVER ANT
The Rover Ant is an imported species that made its way to the U.S. in the 1970’s. It has spread
throughout the Southeast, and is frequently mistaken for the Little Black Ant. Rover Ants are
now widespread in Florida. Their favorite food is honeydew from insects, but they also crave
proteins. Most often they are noticed as large numbers of dead alates floating in swimming
pools. They are also noticed as they run excitedly up and down fences, walls, plants, etc.

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