This things swarmed our patio the other evening. There were thousands and thousands of these tiny winged ants/termites covering the whole patio, the glass sliding door, the brick walls, everything! I smooshed a few as gently as possible so I could get a photo. They were very fast crawlers so there was no way to get them in action.
They are very small with reddish brown bodies. The abdomen is a little little lighter colored than the rest of the body and almost looks like a slight greenish brown. They did not bite or sting me which was surprising. The tip of the abdomen had no visible stinger. It actually had 2 little tail like things on the end (they were so small you can't see them in the photos).
I think I have ruled termites as a possibility- every website I have viewed shows termites having a straight body and these have tapered waists. Also, the tentacles are bent, not straight. And lastly, they have double wings - one very small set that you nearly can't see, and a large set.
I looked around the yard for beds, just 2 small mounds in the grass, and a couple in the cracks on the pavement.
Hoping these aren't crazy ants!
Swarming ants or termites
Those ants are tiny! Nice work determining that these are ants by the way. I believe you meant antennae instead of tentacles, but the antennae being elbowed is a good way to distinguish ant from termite. I wish I could tell you more about them.
Haha yes antennae :)
Post a Reply to this Thread
More Insect and Spider Identification Threads
-
Swarming ants or termites
started by klego
last post by klegoApr 17, 20255Apr 17, 2025 -
Swarming ants or termites
started by ivk
last post by ivkApr 23, 20252Apr 23, 2025 -
Swarming ants or termites
started by ivk
last post by ivkApr 23, 20252Apr 23, 2025 -
Swarming ants or termites
started by emblue
last post by emblueApr 24, 20253Apr 24, 2025 -
Swarming ants or termites
started by PitterCol
last post by PitterColApr 30, 20252Apr 30, 2025
