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ARGENTINE ANT ARGENTINE ANT

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna-12 segmented parts 6.Thorax- uneven ARGENTINE ANT 1.Antenna-12 segmented parts 6.Thorax- uneven ARGENTINE ANT
2.Eyes- 2 facing forward 7.Petiole- single node 2.Eyes- 2 facing forward 7.Petiole- single node
3.Head 8.Abdomen- teardrop shape 6 8 3.Head 8.Abdomen- teardrop shape 6 8
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- light to dark brown 7 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- light to dark brown 7
5.Wings- on alates & budding 10.Other- multiple queens 5.Wings- on alates & budding 10.Other- multiple queens

Life Cycle 2 Life Cycle 2
The eggs hatch in about two weeks into larvae. The larvae mature into The eggs hatch in about two weeks into larvae. The larvae mature into
pupae in about a month. The pupa stage lasts only 15 days. The whole pupae in about a month. The pupa stage lasts only 15 days. The whole
process of egg to adult can range from as short as 33 days to a maxi- process of egg to adult can range from as short as 33 days to a maxi-
mum of 141 days. mum of 141 days.
Drawing Courtesy of Corky’s Pest Control Drawing Courtesy of Corky’s Pest Control
ARGENTINE ANT ARGENTINE ANT
Actual size 1/8” Actual size 1/8”
The Argentine is small—about 1/8th inch and is a brownish color. It is an introduced species in Arizona, and The Argentine is small—about 1/8th inch and is a brownish color. It is an introduced species in Arizona, and
has widely infested urban areas. There can be multiple colonies in a relatively small area, with each colony has widely infested urban areas. There can be multiple colonies in a relatively small area, with each colony
containing thousands of workers. Foraging columns of the ants are seen heading out from the colony to containing thousands of workers. Foraging columns of the ants are seen heading out from the colony to
seek food and water sources. They are the most persistent and troublesome ant that invades houses—since seek food and water sources. They are the most persistent and troublesome ant that invades houses—since
they are small, they can get in through tiny cracks. They tend and defend aphids and scale, seeking the hon- they are small, they can get in through tiny cracks. They tend and defend aphids and scale, seeking the hon-
eydew, so they foster plant damage by those insects. Argentine Ants live in shallow galleries in the ground— eydew, so they foster plant damage by those insects. Argentine Ants live in shallow galleries in the ground—
often only a few inches deep. A single colony will have multiple queens, and can grow quite rapidly, displac- often only a few inches deep. A single colony will have multiple queens, and can grow quite rapidly, displac-
ing other native types of ants. They also rapidly establish other colonies when a queen leaves and takes ing other native types of ants. They also rapidly establish other colonies when a queen leaves and takes
some of the workers with her. These satellite colonies may eventually return or they may become the mother some of the workers with her. These satellite colonies may eventually return or they may become the mother
colony to many new colonies. During the hot summer months, some may even be temporarily established colony to many new colonies. During the hot summer months, some may even be temporarily established
inside homes—under carpets, attic insulation, or in walls and potted plants. inside homes—under carpets, attic insulation, or in walls and potted plants.

1.Antenna-12 segmented parts 6.Thorax- uneven, no spines CRAZY ANT 1.Antenna-12 segmented parts 6.Thorax- uneven, no spines CRAZY ANT
2.Eyes- 2 facing forward 7.Petiole- single node 2.Eyes- 2 facing forward 7.Petiole- single node
3.Head 8.Abdomen- teardrop shape 6 3.Head 8.Abdomen- teardrop shape 6
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown to black 8 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown to black 8
5.Wings- on alates & budding 10.Other- multiple queens 5.Wings- on alates & budding 10.Other- multiple queens
Life Cycle Life Cycle
Colonies are fairly large--a single colony may contain 2,000 workers Colonies are fairly large--a single colony may contain 2,000 workers
and 8-40 queens. In Arizona, they can actually swarm year-round. The and 8-40 queens. In Arizona, they can actually swarm year-round. The
males gather at the entrance to a nest, and the queens will eventually males gather at the entrance to a nest, and the queens will eventually
emerge to mate. They create nests under trash and debris, decaying 4 emerge to mate. They create nests under trash and debris, decaying 4
wood, soil, and even indoors on occasion. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR wood, soil, and even indoors on occasion. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

CRAZY ANT CRAZY ANT
Actual size 1/8” Actual size 1/8”
Crazy Ants get their name from their behavior—they seem to run erratically all over the ground. They Crazy Ants get their name from their behavior—they seem to run erratically all over the ground. They
are about 1/8th inch in size, and colored from dark brown to black. They have the ability to bite, and are about 1/8th inch in size, and colored from dark brown to black. They have the ability to bite, and
also have special hairs on their bodies that can inject formic acid into their enemies and prey. They also have special hairs on their bodies that can inject formic acid into their enemies and prey. They
have been known to kill dogs and pigs in some areas. Crazy Ants do not create trails like other ants. have been known to kill dogs and pigs in some areas. Crazy Ants do not create trails like other ants.
They forage after seeds, honeydew, other insects, and a wide variety of household foods. In the sum- They forage after seeds, honeydew, other insects, and a wide variety of household foods. In the sum-
mer, they prefer high-protein foods, which are necessary for egg production. Like other ants, they will mer, they prefer high-protein foods, which are necessary for egg production. Like other ants, they will
tend to aphids and other insects that create the honeydew that they collect. tend to aphids and other insects that create the honeydew that they collect.

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