Nearly every creature in my yard is pretty easily identified then i came across these orange ants which are a mystery. They're orange and when in the sunlight they glow like orange gems; they're really quite pretty. This spring i removed the sandstone patio we've had for nearly 30 years and happened upon these ants living under the stones. My first thought was fire ants but these ants strongly disliked the light and were not hostile at all. I could put my finger in their tunnels and they didn't even attempt an attack (which even normal black ants will do when part of their home has been uprooted). They're a small sized ant and must be able to over winter well. I don't know if they came in on the sandstones so many years ago or if they are native to the region (lower Michigan). No one else i've talked to has ever seen this type of ant and trying to find them on the internet is extremely difficult (i've had no luck at all). If anyone out there knows what this species of ant is, i'd greatly appreciate your reply.
We don't plan on getting rid of the ants, they don't pose a threat and haven't come in the house, we just want to know exactly what they are.
