Ants
Ants are social insect that live in colonies and a perfect division of labour exists among them. More than 10,000 species of ants have been identified, but only 40 species of them are considered as pests in human environment. They are classified under the family Formicidae in the Old Hymenoptera. Common ant pests in Malaysia include Argentine ant, Pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis), Crazy ants (Paratrechina longicornis), Ghost ants (Tapinoma melanocephalum), Big headed ants (Pheidole megacephala) and Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta).
Ants occupy a wide range of ecological niches, and are able to exploit a wide range of food resources either as direct or indirect herbivores, predators and scavengers. Of the many species of ants, few species establish nests in homes. Most household ants do not inflict damage to homes, they are merely a nuisance instead.
Ants occupy a wide range of ecological niches, and are able to exploit a wide range of food resources either as direct or indirect herbivores, predators and scavengers. Of the many species of ants, few species establish nests in homes. Most household ants do not inflict damage to homes, they are merely a nuisance instead.
Many of us confuse termites over ants due to their physical resemblance. Both species have sometimes develop four wings and swarm, the termite wings are of the similar size and the ant wings have noticeably larger front wings than the hind pair. Termites have a pair of almost straight, beaded antennae (moniliform), the ants antennae are elbowed (geniculate). Termite wings are twice as long as the body. Ants appear distinctly segmented, because of their thin-waisted appearance.