Foraging Characteristics: Medium sized, mostly shiny ant with heart shaped abdomen that is often bent up over the thorax when ant is disturbed. Color variable from light reddish brown to brown or black. Slow to moderately fast moving ant. May forage in tight foraging trails similar to white-footed ant trails, but only acrobat ant bends the abdomen up over the thorax. Acrobat ants also run slower than white-footed ants when disturbed.
Detailed Description: 2.6-3.2 mm (1/10-1/8 in) long.
A pair of spines on propodeum. Two-segmented petiole, first segment wide at front.
Hanging gaster where
postpetiole is attached to dorsal surface of
gaster base. Gaster more
convex ventrally than
dorsally and with pointed end.
Sting not always exerted. Subfamily
Myrmicinae.
Most Common Complaints: Foragers outside.
Control by reducing access to structures.
Distribution: Alachua, Baker, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dade, De Soto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Taylor, Volusia, and Walton Counties.
Nest Sites & Characteristics: Arboreal ant, nesting in branches and stems and other cavities of trees and shrubs, rotten logs and stumps. In houses they will nest in damaged wood of porches, eaves, etc. Single queen per nest, but colonies occupy multiple nest sites. These ants are uncommon indoors and control should focus on limiting their access to structures.
Origin:
Native.
Diet: Living and dead insects. Tend sap-sucking insects, collecting honeydew. Forage for sweets and protein in homes.
