Acrobat Ant
Crematogaster spp.
- Color: Black or brown
- Worker size: 3 millimetres
- Colony size: up to 30,000
- Queen: up to 11 millimetres, claustral, monogyne (some species polygyne), sometimes polydomous
Introduction
Acrobat ants are a type of pest and can be extremely aggressive to humans. Their gasters (abdomens) may look like hearts when looked at from above. The abdomens may also resemble a spade from a deck of cards. They are black or brown in color. They are around 3 mm long, making them relatively small and a little hard to see, especially if it’s on or in something brown or black.
Unique Traits
Pesty Pests
The acrobat ant has a heart/spade shaped abdomen, which it is famous for. They leave an odor that you can smell if you are in close proximity to a large number of them. They are aggressive and fierce but harmless and no more than an irritation if you were bitten by one. However, they are still a problem if your house is infested by them.
Defences
The defenses of the acrobat ant includes: biting, and raising their abdomen when threatened. They also have stingers that they use against insects and other ants. They also release an odor that serves as a warning towards predators. They can also release venom when raising their abdomen but it doesn’t affect humans and may vary in effectiveness depending on the target.
Habitat & Diet
Like carpenter ants, acrobat ants nest near dead, moist, or decaying wood. They eat things such as aphid honeydew, which are rich in sugar. They eat other insects for proteins and sometimes go to flowers for their nectar. If your house has acrobat ants, that probably means that they smelt something sweet or something that is calorie and nutrient dense such as desserts, candy, or meat.
Sources:
- https://www.orkin.com/pests/ants/acrobat-ants
- https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/ants/acrobat-ants/