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PYRAMID ANT PYRAMID ANT PYRAMID ANT PYRAMID ANT

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

Life Cycle Life Cycle
Colonies are fairly small, and contain only one queen and a few thou- 4 Colonies are fairly small, and contain only one queen and a few thou- 4
sand workers. They only nest in soil, never in structures. Swarming sand workers. They only nest in soil, never in structures. Swarming
occurs in early to mid-summer. occurs in early to mid-summer.
Drawing Courtesy of Corky’s Pest Control Drawing Courtesy of Corky’s Pest Control
PYRAMID ANT Actual size 1/8” PYRAMID ANT Actual size 1/8”
The name of this ant comes from a pyramid-like projection on the top of the thorax. Pyramid 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- 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- 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- 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 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. of food. Pyramid Ants have the ability to produce a rotten coconut smell to fend off predators.

1.Antenna-segmented with club 6.Thorax- uneven with spines ACROBAT ANT 1.Antenna-segmented with club 6.Thorax- uneven with spines ACROBAT ANT
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- two nodes 10 2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- two nodes 10
3.Head 8.Abdomen- heart shaped 6 7 3.Head 8.Abdomen- heart shaped 6 7
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- light brown to black 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- light brown to black
5.Wings- alates only 10.Other- has stinger 5.Wings- alates only 10.Other- has stinger
8 8
Life Cycle Life Cycle
Winged male and female swarmers will usually emerge from an old 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. 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. The swarmers are fertile, and go out to establish new colonies.
Drawing by Andrew Schaible Drawing by Andrew Schaible

ACROBAT ANT Actual size 1/8” ACROBAT ANT Actual size 1/8”
The Acrobat Ant will eat a wide variety of foods, especially sweets, and they seem to prefer the The Acrobat Ant will eat a wide variety of foods, especially sweets, and they seem to prefer the
honeydew from aphids, scale, or mealybugs. They will also go after many types of insects for honeydew 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 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 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 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 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 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. the rest of the body when they are threatened, much like an acrobat’s balancing act.

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