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FIELD ANT WORKER FIELD ANT WORKER

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR FIELD ANT WORKER Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR FIELD ANT WORKER Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna 6.Thorax- not evenly rounded FIELD ANT 1.Antenna 6.Thorax- not evenly rounded FIELD ANT
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- single node 2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- single node
3.Head- 3 simple eyes (ocelli) 8.Abdomen 3 Ocelli 6 7 3.Head- 3 simple eyes (ocelli) 8.Abdomen 3 Ocelli 6 7
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- reddish brown to black 8 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- reddish brown to black 8
5.Wings- alates only 10.Other- hairs at anus 5.Wings- alates only 10.Other- hairs at anus

Life Cycle Life Cycle
Field ants nest in the ground in large colonies, and will swarm dur- Field ants nest in the ground in large colonies, and will swarm dur-
ing the hot summer months and into the fall. They crawl around ing the hot summer months and into the fall. They crawl around
near the entrance to the nest, and then fly off to form new colonies. near the entrance to the nest, and then fly off to form new colonies.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
FIELD ANTS Actual size 1/8” to 1/4” FIELD ANTS Actual size 1/8” to 1/4”

These ants are from 1/8th to 1/4th inch long, and can be colored yellow, reddish, all the way to These ants are from 1/8th to 1/4th inch long, and can be colored yellow, reddish, all the way to
dark brown and black. They build fairly large mounds, and can be found in lawns, vacant lots, dark brown and black. They build fairly large mounds, and can be found in lawns, vacant lots,
under rocks, and wood piles. They are scavengers, and some types will climb trees and prey under rocks, and wood piles. They are scavengers, and some types will climb trees and prey
upon damaging insects—both live and dead. They rarely enter houses, but will occasionally upon damaging insects—both live and dead. They rarely enter houses, but will occasionally
find sweets inside, and more often honeydew outdoors. find sweets inside, and more often honeydew outdoors.

1.Antenna- 11 to 12 segments 6.Thorax- no spines, uneven DESERT ANT 1.Antenna- 11 to 12 segments 6.Thorax- no spines, uneven DESERT ANT
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- single node 2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- single node
3.Head- no ocelli 8.Abdomen- round 6 7 8 3.Head- no ocelli 8.Abdomen- round 6 7 8
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- orangish-brown 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- orangish-brown
5.Wings- alates only 10.Other- no hairs anywhere 5.Wings- alates only 10.Other- no hairs anywhere

Life Cycle Life Cycle
Desert Ants can progress from eggs to adults in about 34-38 days. Desert Ants can progress from eggs to adults in about 34-38 days.
They form large colonies with multiple queens, so colonies can They form large colonies with multiple queens, so colonies can
grow quite rapidly. grow quite rapidly.
Drawing by Andrew Schaible Drawing by Andrew Schaible
DESERT ANT (Forelius foetidus) Actual size 1/8” DESERT ANT (Forelius foetidus) Actual size 1/8”

This small ant, about 1/8th inch in size, is an orangish-brown color. They can be found through- This small ant, about 1/8th inch in size, is an orangish-brown color. They can be found through-
out Arizona, and will forage just about anywhere in search of food and water, including inside out Arizona, and will forage just about anywhere in search of food and water, including inside
structures. They greatly resemble Argentine Ants. Desert Ants can withstand the hot desert structures. They greatly resemble Argentine Ants. Desert Ants can withstand the hot desert
sun without desiccating. The term “desert ant” is also used to cover a wide variety of other ants sun without desiccating. The term “desert ant” is also used to cover a wide variety of other ants
that live in the desert environment, but specifically includes Forelius foetidus. that live in the desert environment, but specifically includes Forelius foetidus.

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