Formica Ant (Formica spp.)

Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Formica Ant.

Updated: 8/25/2017; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org

Formica Ant

Formica Ants do not sting, but they can bite if threatened. Their greater defense comes from the formic acid they can spray from their abdomen.

Ants in the Formica genus have only 1 knob (bump) between the thorax and abdomen. They feed on the honeydew created by aphids (also in photo). The Formica Ant may actually act as a shepherd to the smaller aphids, moving them to an area of the plant so pull out the juices where the ant can then take the honeydew (juice) for itself.

This group of ants do not sting, but they can bite as well as spray formic acid from the tips of their abdomens. Colonies form in open grassland or under stones.

Professional exterminators should be contacted in the event of an infestation indoors.

Basic Information

Common Name: Formica Ant

Other Name(s): Black Ant, Silky Ant, Red Ant

Scientific Name: Formica spp.

Category: Bee, Ant, Wasp and Similar

General Identification

Size (Adult; Length): 3mm to 12mm (0.12in to 0.47in)

Identifying Colors: black; brown; red

Additional Descriptors: small, biting, colony, infest

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera

Family: Formicidae

Genus: Formica

Species: spp.

Ant, Bee and Wasp Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of both a bee and an ant insect

1

Antennae: Ants and Bees both have a pair of antennae on the head that senses their surroundings.

2

Head: The head contains the insect's compound eyes, antennae, and mandibles.

3

Thorax: Contains various vital parts such as the aorta and nervous system.

4

Abdomen: Contains various organs including the heart, gut, venom glands, and anus.

5

Legs: Ants and Bees have three pairs of legs attached to the thorax (center-body section).

NOTE: Ants, Bees and Wasps are part of the Hymenoptera order because they share many similarities.

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed below as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections below indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mexico

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Formica Ant may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Images Gallery for the Formica Ant

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