Ants with wings are fairly common, especially during certain times of the year. Ants with wings are commonly known as winged ants or alates. Some indicate a problem; some don’t—depending on the species and the season. These winged ants belong to the reproductive caste of the ant colony, and they are responsible for starting new colonies through a process called “nuptial flights.” During the nuptial flight, winged ants of both sexes leave their parent colony in large swarms to mate and establish new colonies. It’s a common misconception that only a specific type of ant can grow wings and fly. In reality, a wide variety of ants, including Fire ants, Carpenter ants, Harvester Ants, and Argentine Ants, among others, have the ability to take flight during certain stages of their life cycle for a certain period of time.
Ants with Wings
1. Carpenter Ants (Genus: Camponotus)
Carpenter ants are large ants, and some species within this genus have winged individuals during their reproductive stage. Carpenter ants are remarkable insects known for their woodworking prowess. They are often mistaken for termites but could be distinguished by their larger size and shape of their antennae, waist, and wings. These formidable creatures are nature’s carpenters, crafting intricate tunnels and galleries within decaying wood. They excavate wood galleries with a smooth, sandpapered look.
Carpenter ant-damaged wood contains no mud-like material, unlike termite-damaged wood. Shredded wood fragments, like coarse sawdust, are discharged from the galleries via preexisting fractures or holes produced by the ants. Unlike termites that consume wood, carpenter ants excavate it to build their nests. With impressive mandibles and a hierarchical social structure, these ants coordinate their efforts to create extensive colonies. Carpenter ants can pose a threat to human structures by compromising wood integrity.
Image Source: Wikimedia
2. Fire Ants (Genus: Solenopsis)
Fire ants, also called thief ants, are little but powerful insects noted for their aggressive behavior and devastating stings. Native to tropical regions of South and Central America, they have spread globally, often causing ecological disruptions. They communicate through chemical secretions and stridulation. These reddish-brown ants form large colonies with complex underground tunnels which consist of a loose mound with open craters for ventilation.
Their venomous stings inject venom that can induce severe burning and allergic reactions in people. Fire ants are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on plants, insects, and even small animals. These ants are known for damaging planted grain and attacking poultry. Their resilience and adaptability make them challenging pests for agriculture and ecosystems alike. They also have winged individuals during the mating season.
Image Source: Wikimedia
3. Black Garden Ants (Species: Lasius niger)
Black Garden Ants are a common species of ant found throughout Europe and North America. The black garden ant is common in many habitats, including gardens where nests form under paving stones, in soil, and between brickwork. As scavengers and seed dispersers, these small insects play an important role in ecosystems. They develop highly structured colonies with a caste system consisting of workers, soldiers, and a queen, and are distinguished by their shiny black appearance and characteristic nest mounds.
During hot and humid summer weather, winged adults appear and swarm in large numbers; these ‘flying ants’ mate and eventually disperse to form new colonies. Black Garden Ants are omnivores, feeding on nectar, small insects, and sugary substances. These adaptable creatures thrive in urban areas, frequently spotted foraging in gardens, parks, and even inside homes.
Image Source: Wikimedia
4. Red Imported Fire Ants (Species: Solenopsis Invicta)
Red Imported Fire Ants are invasive and aggressive insects known for their painful stings and ecological disruption. They have winged individuals for colony reproduction. They originated in South America and have since spread around the globe, prospering in a variety of environments. Red imported fire ants typically build their nests in the soil near construction foundations or in landscaping.
They construct large, conspicuous mounds and exhibit swarm behavior when disturbed. Red ants will sting humans who disturb their nests. Their potent venom causes intense burning sensations and frequently results in a raised welt that becomes a white pustule. These ants are dangerous to agriculture, wildlife, and human health. Red Imported Fire Ants serve as a stark reminder of the ecological havoc that invasive species can wreak, underscoring the importance of proactive management.
Image Source: Judy
5. Argentine Ants (Species: Linepithema humile)
Argentine ants are small, invasive insects that have established colonies on nearly every continent. The Argentine ant, which originated in Northern Argentina along the Paraná River and neighboring areas, is now found in most locations with Mediterranean climates or mild winters and moderate to high humidity. The Argentine ant has exceptionally low intraspecific aggressiveness levels, which allows it to grow enormously large colonies, with millions of individuals cooperating in unison.
They have a preference for sweet foods and can disrupt local ecosystems by outcompeting native ant species for resources. These ants are challenging to control due to their vast numbers and interconnected colonies. Their ability to form supercolonies, spanning vast areas, makes them a global pest of concern, necessitating ongoing research and management efforts.
Image Source: Wikimedia
6. Harvester Ants (Genus: Pogonomyrmex barbatus)
Harvester ants are extraordinary insects noted for their hard work and organization. The long, hairy “beard” they have on their chin is one of their most distinctive traits. They live in dry places around the world and play an important role in their ecosystems. These ants are meticulous foragers, collecting seeds and vegetation, which they store in underground chambers. Their colonies can include thousands of people, and their teamwork is incredible.
Harvester ants are well-known for their aggressive defense methods, which include using powerful stingers to guard their nests. They are essential for seed distribution and plant growth in arid settings. Their complex social structure and ingenuity make them an intriguing and important species in the natural world. Up to 10,000 individuals might reside in a colony of these winged ants. The worker-winged harvester ants, which are about half the size of the queen, are smaller than the queen harvester ants.
Also Read: 10 Biggest Ants In The World
Image Source: Wikimedia
7. White-footed Ants (Genus: Technomyrmex albipes)
White-footed ants, often known as citronella ants, are distinguished by their pale-colored feet and wings. These winged ants are distinguished by their predilection for honeydew nectar emitted by aphids over human food. These ants are known for their adaptive behavior and impressive colony sizes. Unlike aggressive species, they prefer sugar-based foods, making them a common household pest.
White-footed ants build large colonies with multiple queens and many workers, sometimes nesting in wall gaps or rotting wood. Their insatiable appetite for honeydew from aphids and scale insects can disrupt local ecosystems. White-footed ants, unlike some other ant species, do not sting or cause property damage, making them a relatively harmless presence in the ecosystem.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. Pharaoh Ants (Species: Monomorium pharaonis)
Pharaoh ants are tiny, invasive ants noted for their tenacity and annoyance. These tiny light yellow to reddish-brown insects measuring only about 1/12 to 1/16 inch long, are a major pest globally. Hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and grocery shops are among the places where these scavengers are known to flourish. Pharaoh ants, however, not only cause a nuisance but also pose a serious health concern. They infest homes, hospitals, and commercial spaces, attracted to warmth and moisture.
Pharaoh ants with wings are notorious for being challenging to manage and eradicate because of their ability to split into multiple colonies when threatened. Winged Pharaoh ants have been brought to many other regions of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America but they are native to Africa. What sets Pharaoh ants apart is their ability to establish vast interconnected colonies with multiple queens, making eradication challenging.
Image Source: Animal Diversity Web
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