Ants are common insects that exist in different varieties. They are distinguished by the surprising organization as the colonies are coordinated around a queen and, worker ants have defined functions.
Do you know how many types of ants there are? If you want to know the different varieties, among which are the types of poisonous ants, continue reading this article by Animal Expert.
- Ants are among the oldest and most widespread insects in the world.
- They are able to survive in almost all habitats and sometimes the colonies are so large that they eventually become very difficult pests to control.
But how many species of ants are there in the world? There are an estimated 20,000 species of ants. Although each species has different behaviors and characteristics, there are several common elements among them. For example:
Ants defend themselves by biting. They may be insignificant to humans but deadly to some animals, especially insects. Despite this, there is a wide variety of types of poisonous ants, which trigger complications or cause death.
Check out some types of poisonous ants below
The Cape Verde ant, also known as the bull ant or Paraponera clavata, can be found in countries such as Brazil, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Venezuela and Honduras. It is known as an anthill because of the pain of its sting, much like that which causes a bullet hit. It is considered thirty times more painful than a wasp bite. After the bite of a green ant layer, the area becomes reddish, can cause chills, sweats and even a Persian sensitivity of the affected limb.
The bulldog ant, also known as the Australian giant ant or Myrmecia, is found in Australia and New Caledonia. It is characterized by a huge yellow jaw, as well as red and brown tones. It contains a powerful poison capable of generating a powerful skin burn that can leave permanent marks.
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The fire ant or Solenopsis richteri has an intense black color with reddish reflections, as the name suggests. It is distinguished by its particularly aggressive behavior, however, they generally do not attack humans unless they provoke it. The fire ant bite has a very strong and toxic bite, capable of causing a very uncomfortable and persistent pain, similar to the bite of a wasp.
The African ant, also known as Pachycondyla Analysis Megaponera foetens, is one of the most dangerous species in the world and inhabits Senegal, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Togo. They measure between 18 and 5 mm and have a sting and a strong triangular jaw, capable of piercing human skin. Nerve poison is particularly powerful and can therefore paralyze victims.
There are millions of ants in the world, belonging to various types of species that have been recorded. However, not all are poisonous ants. In general, types of household forms are generally harmless and their possible bites are not a problem for humans.
Then discover some of the world’s most common ant species
The carpenter ant belongs to the genus Componutus, a species that inhabits America, Europe and Africa. It is so called because it builds its nests in wood, which can have devastating consequences for the environment, the colonies expand and cause significant damage to tree structures. Carpenter ants often take refuge in rotting wood to make their nests, as they have the right humidity and temperature conditions to stay alive.
They are polymorphs, which means that all individuals have different sizes. Its colors can vary between black, red and dark brown. As for food, they do not eat wood, their diet is based on dead insects, sweet substances of plants, flowers and fruits as well as meat and fats.
The Argentine ant or Linepithema humile is endemic to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is currently distributed in many other countries due to human action, being considered a pest. They measure between 2 and 3 mm, but are particularly aggressive, they fight for control of the territory, covering large areas. Its action causes the death of the native species of the region that invade, causing irreversible changes in the ecosystem.
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It has been called leaf-cutting ant by more than 40 species belonging to the genera Atta and Acromyrmex. It is characterized mainly by an extreme social organization, since the colony is divided into different classes called castes, that is, there is the queen, the soldiers, the gatherers and the gardeners. In the leaf-cutting ant colony, each individual has a specific goal to fulfill, starting with the queen, who is responsible for finding nests and raising.
While soldiers protect the colony from external threats, looters dig tunnels and find food for the other ants. Gardeners are responsible for growing developing mushrooms, larvae and eggs. This species of ant is found in Panama in northern Argentina. It can cause serious economic damage because it attacks various types of plants and crops such as cassava, maize and sugar cane.
The sessile tapinoma ant, or smelly domestic ant, is also known as a sugar ant or coconut ant. It is native to the United States and owes its name to the strong smell it gives off when it is crushed. This type of domestic ant builds your home under stones, logs, debris, or other objects, including cracks in stones and floors.
The species does not have time to look for food, it can do it at any time of the day. The diet consists of fruits, insects and nectar. The population of smelly domestic ants can become a pest if the colony’s spread conditions are not controlled.
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Wooden ant, Formica rufa or European red ant, is very common in Europe. It creates large visible colonies in shaded forests, where about 200,000 individuals live. They are omnivorous animals, which feed on invertebrate animals, fungi and vegetables. They are able to make strong stings.
Messor barbarus ant is found in Spain, Italy, France and Morocco. It creates nests on the ground and are exclusively granivorous animals. This species is distinguished by its hygiene, as it is constantly cleaned just like the nest. Another feature that stands out a lot about this type of ant is the size of the head.
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