Identifying characteristics
- Worker ants are polymorphic; vary in size from 1/8-inch long to more than 1/4-inch long
- Large eyes
- Amber-colored head and thorax with a mostly black abdomen; body covered with golden hairs
- Petiole with 2 nodes; no spines on thorax; 2 teeth on the front of head
- 10-segmented antennae with a 2-segmented club
- Flattened nests
Behavior
- Feed on insects, sweet foods, grease, proteins, seeds, almonds, young tree bark, and honeydew
- Active in the morning and early evening and do not trail
- May swarm out of nests if disturbed and can inflict painful stings
Nest type and size
- Nest in small mounds or in patches of loose soil near moisture
- Flattened, irregular craters with one to many openings; located usually in warm, sunny areas
- May be found in wood or under rocks and boards
- Indoors, nest in wall voids, crawl spaces, and under carpets
- Colonies very large with up to 10,000 individuals and multiple queens
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