The body of an ant is divided into head, thorax (mesosoma), and abdomen (metasoma) like other insects, however, they are different from other insects by the type of their antennae, the constriction of their second abdominal segment, and possession of metathoracic (metasternal) gland that produce an antibiotic fluid that helps prevent bacterial and fungal growth on their exoskeleton. The head contains the compound and simple eyes, the two antennae and the jaws. The legs and the wings are attached to the thorax. However, only reproductive ants are winged ants. The abdomen contains the reproductive, excretory and respiratory organs.

Most ants are wingless but few that possess wings are referred to as alates or reproductives. The reproduction in ants involves mating between a winged female ant (virgin queen) and a winged male ant. The wings allow the female to move farther away from its mother’s colony to avoid competition. After mating, the male live for a while and die while the female has the ability to store the sperm for years. She then creates an ant colony for herself and starts to lay eggs (fertilized or unfertilized). At this stage she loses her wing. The fertilized eggs become females while the unfertilized eggs become males. Some of the females become workers (performing excavation and defense functions) while some become alate virgin queens. Alates are usually produced during mating season; they then leave the colony in search of mates after which the female will establish her own colony.

Identification of winged ants (reproductives) requires close observation as many ants produce winged alates making identification a bit difficult. The location and the season the winged ant is seen may also serve as clues for identification. It is easier to identify dead whole ant than a flying one.

• Collect the ant and drop it inside alcohol and examine (with a hand lens or microscope) after some minutes.
• Identify the head thorax and abdomen.
• Measure the length of the ant.
• Check for the elbowed antennae and the narrow waist (to differentiate it from termite), observe the nodes between the thorax and the abdomen (to differentiate it from wasp) as well as the number and shape of the nodes.
• Also check the four wings (the front pair should be larger and longer than the back pair).
• Then examine the thorax for the presence/absence of spines and count the number if present.

Winged ants in general have elbowed antennae, a constricted waist, a front and a back pair of wings (the front pair usually longer). The females are usually larger than males. Ants are further classified into one node or two nodes ant based on the number of nodes (petiole) in the constricted region of the abdomen. One node ants include: carpenter ant, large yellow ant, odorous house ant, crazy ant, field ant, small honey ant etc. Two nodes ant include: pavement ant, thief ant, acrobat ant, big-headed ant, little black ant etc.

Winged Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ant has a dark colored body (black, red or both), a waist with one node, with upper surface of the thorax evenly rounded, elbowed (bent) antennae, two pairs of wings with front pair longer than the back pair (unlike termite with equal pairs of wings). Though live in moist wood and create tunnels for their nest, they do not feed on wood like termites, and the do not have thoracic spines.

Winged Large Yellow Ant

Also, known as foundation ant, they produce a lemon smell when crushed. They are yellow or reddish brown in color. The queen is about 8mm long and usually dark red. They have a waist with one node, a small compound eye in relation to the head. They live in soil under concrete, slab, but can also live in rotten wood.

Winged Odorous House Ant

Named because of their unpleasant smell, odorous house ant is dark brown in color, waist with one flat node which is usually hidden under the abdomen. They lack thoracic spines.

Winged Crazy Ant

Crazy ant has long antennae and legs, grey, brown, or black in color, a difficult to identify flat node, and lack of thoracic spines.

Winged Field Ant

Similar to carpenter ants, have combination of different colors, one node ant.

Winged Pavement Ant

Pavement ants are two node ants with brown to black color, vertical furrows on the head, and a pair of spine on the thorax.

Winged Thief Ant

They are small household ant, also referred to as grease ants. They form their colony close to larger ants’ nest and in the process steal their larvae. They are yellow to light brown in color, waist with two nodes, absence of spines on the thorax, segmented antennae, and small compound eyes.

Winged Acrobat Ant

Acrobat ants have different colors. They are two nodes ant with the nodes attached to the upper part of the heart-shaped abdomen, no furrow on the head, and a pair of spine towards the end of the thorax.

Winged ants are the reproductive ants that are seen during nuptial flight. Identification of different species requires a close examination of the body parts paying attention to the minutest details.

If having a problem with winged ants or termite swarmers, call Alliance Pest Services today to solve all your pest problems.