I am in Ohio. I found this guy in my sink after I brought in a jasmine plant to wash off the outside of its pot. None of the ants I've seen around here have this shape or pointy, wicked-looking stinger end to their abdomens as this one has. Sorry it's not a clearer picture; I put it in a plastic bag so I could see and photograph it without getting bitten. The abdomen curved down and had a definite point to it. If I disturbed it, it acted like it was trying to sting the bag with that back end.
It measured about 1/8" long and was reddish. The head looks small for an ant's head, doesn't it? The antennae don't look like ant antennae, do they? Also, look at the long, thin thorax with that little nip in the middle. It looked more like a wasp to me, but it had no wings.
It was interesting watching this one clean its antennae with its front legs. I took a video, but it was too small to make out.
CLOSED: Ohio ant or with stinger-like abdomen
Strange critter, does not have an antlike head.
I wonder if it was some kind of wasp whose wings never developed.
Ants and wasps are in the same Superfamily, Vespoidea. It might be a wingless wasp.... or an ant... the antennae are unusual. And the legs. The legs keep making me think wasp too.
That's a good picture too, maybe someone will find its ID. No help, I know...still looking....
sure is wasp-looking. Has the jasmine been with you a while, or newly purchased?
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