What Do Tiny Red Ants Look Like?
Ants range in size from just over 3 cm (the giant Siafu Ant) to just over 1/2 ml (the thief ant). They also vary in color and can be brown, red, black or cream colored. Although there are over 11,000 species of ants that have been identified, there are only a few species of tiny red ants. Two in particular, the Pharaoh and the imported red fire ant, are found in the United States.
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Identification
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Tiny red ants can be identified as ants by examining their morphology. All ants have three body segments: head, thorax and abdomen. Like all other insects, ants have six legs but differ in the fact that their antennae have "elbows" and glands called metaplural glands, which release a substance that inhibits the growth of microorganisms.
Features
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There are at least two species that can be described as tiny red ants. The first species, the Pharaoh ant, is considered a nuisance because it feeds on such a wide variety of food. Pharaoh ants are particularly troublesome in hospitals, where they can eat away at items such as bandages, gloves and other consumable equipment. They reproduce prolifically, and colonies can contain thousands of individuals.
The red imported fire ant is another tiny red ant species. It is also a pest that has become fairly common in the southern United States. Unlike Pharaoh ants, fire ants build nests in the soil. They are known for inflicting painful stings, which can be fatal to those allergic to their venom. They are extremely invasive and are increasing their range each year. -
Size
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While all tiny red ants are tiny, there are size variations. Pharaoh ants are approximately 2 ml long. Fire ants are a little larger, and can range between 3 and 6 ml in length.
Geography
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Ants are widely distributed, and can be found on every continent aside from Antarctica. Although tiny red ant species have proliferated around the globe, most of them originate in the tropics of South America.
Benefits
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There is some evidence of a slight benefit of red fire ants to farmers in the southern United States. Red fire ants are voracious predators. They will prey upon species of insects that commonly infest cotton and soybean crops, such as aphids and weevils.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Subhadip Mukherjee
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Comments
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jessie9284
Apr 29, 2009
ml is a weight measurement, not a length measurement. How can something be 'x' ml in length? Thats like saying something is 2 ounces long...why post an article if you can't even get that right...how uncredible...
