Ants are fascinating but often go overlooked in favor of insects such as bees and beetles. Ants are also more diverse than you might think: More than 2,500 species of ants are on earth today! These insects range in size from tiny to monstrously large, and most have both stinging and biting mandibles (the jaws). Some ants will sacrifice themselves to protect their colony, while others may attack humans or other animals if they feel threatened. So let's take a closer look at some common ant species so you can learn everything there is to know about these little creatures.
The Pavement Ant
Pavement ants are one of the most common ant species in North America, and they can be found all over the world. Their bodies are shaped like a peanut, with a small head, an enormous abdomen, and many legs. These creatures are usually black and red, but some species have been spotted with yellow or orange stripes on their backs.
Pavement ants don't bite or sting people—at least not intentionally! They bite when they feel threatened or attacked by something larger than themselves (like another animal). This behavior is rare because pavement ants aren't aggressive animals overall; instead, they tend to run away from predators after being bitten by them once or twice during their lifetime. Because pavement ants eat plants and insects, some researchers think these creatures may have evolved from eating fungi instead of insects.
The Argentine Ant
The Argentine ant is the best-known species in the United States and can be found throughout much of South America. Argentine ants are tiny and black, with long antennae that cover their heads like a helmet. They have a stingless bite and prefer to nest in dark places instead of open spaces where they would be susceptible to predators such as birds or other insects.
The Argentine ant likes warm, damp places such as kitchens and bathrooms, where they may find unwelcome guests if you don't clean up after yourself! This species has been reported as residing inside homes since at least 1965; however, it was not until many years later that scientists began studying these insects' nests closely enough to determine why there were so many infestations happening within our own homes (and what might happen if we didn't take action).
The Pharaoh Ant
The Pharaoh Ant is a small, black ant that can carry a lot of stuff. They are attracted to sugar and grease, so you might want to avoid leaving food out for them if you don't want them in your kitchen!
The Pharaoh Ant is known for its ability to climb walls and ceilings. This makes it difficult for people who have lived in an area with lots of Pharaohs for long enough periods (like me) because they're used to seeing these ants all over the place. You should be careful when walking around outside on hot days because the temperature difference between inside and outside makes it easier for Pharaohs' bodies to heat up quickly - which means there's no escape!
If you see one or two Pharaohs inside your home, then don't worry too much about them; however, if there are hundreds or thousands, then call us immediately so we can help remove them before any damage gets done
Crazy Ants
The crazy ants of South America are called crazy ants because they do not follow a set pattern of movement but, instead, move randomly. They are also called tawny crazy ants because of their brown color.
Crazy Ants are native to the tropical regions of South America and can be found anywhere there is soil or leaf litter on the ground. They have wings that allow them to fly short distances when needed, but they will not leave their nest unless there is food nearby or if it's dark outside—in which case they will not turn on their lights!
Fire Ants
Fire ants are the most common ant species in the United States, with an estimated population of 100 million individuals. They can be found throughout Texas and northern Mexico, where humans have introduced them over hundreds of years. These insects have a painful sting that is often fatal to children and animals.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are black or dark brown, and they live in colonies. They eat wood and can cause damage to homes by chewing through wooden structures. Carpenter ants are known to be dangerous to pets and people, so it's essential to understand how to protect yourself from them!
African big-headed ant
The African big-headed ant is a large species of ant found in forests of central Africa. They have a length of 1 inch (2.5 centimeters). They are black with white hairs on their head, thorax, and abdomen. Their legs are also dark brown, and white markings on their wings range from orange to yellow depending on the colony's queen; however, most individuals have red eyes instead of these other colors.
This species's diet includes plant matter and other insects, including termites and caterpillars, which they use for food or protection against predators such as birds or larger animals like humans! These bugs may be found anywhere there is dense vegetation, such as rainforest flooring, so don't worry if you happen upon one while hiking through an area where they're common; however, if you don't see any sign indicating where they live, then chances are good that someone else has taken care of them before now so leave them alone unless we ask otherwise.
African Big-Headed Ants usually live outdoors, but sometimes they'll move into buildings, too - especially during rainy seasons when there's lots more food available outside (like fallen fruit).
Asian needle ant
An Asian needle ant, Prenolepis imparis, is a small species of social insect belonging to the family Formicidae. It lives in colonies under bark and other plant matter near tree trunks and branches. The queen lives in the center of each colony and lays eggs on leaves or fruits that she finds; these hatch into larvae which feed on dead insects or fungi before pupating into adults.
Arizona carpenter ant
Arizona carpenter ants are native to the southwestern United States, where they live in colonies that can be found on old branches and dead trees. Their small colonies usually contain hundreds of workers, but they can grow huge with up to 25,000 workers.
These ants do not build nests; instead, they create small mounds covered by soil or leaf litter. These mounds may contain several openings for tunnels connecting them to other parts of the colony so that food sources can be easily accessed from one area within the mound rather than going through all areas individually.
Ants are an interesting group of organisms. They're fascinating because they're so small and live in such large numbers, yet they play an essential role in the world around us. Ants can be found worldwide, from deserts to rainforests to cities! No matter where you live or your environment, there will always be ants around.
