Insect
Identification
Laboratory


Identification of Ants

Select the insect that most closely resembles the ant you have found. This set only covers the major pests you may have something else. In that case you should contact your county extension agent. He/She is well trained in local insect problems.

Ants, four choices

CARPENTER ANTS are medium to large in size and are one of the most common ants found in Virginia. They are black, have a one segmented waist, and range up to 1/2 inch or 12 mm in length. YELLOW ANTS are small to medium ants that commonly swarm inside houses and on yards and sidewalks. They do not forage inside houses and they do not destroy wood so they are not considered pests. When crushed these ants have a smell similar to citronella. As their name implies they are yellow in color.
PAVEMENT ANT This ant has a waist mady up of two segments and unlike the the crematogaster ant to the right DOES NOT have a heart shaped abdomen and the spines on its back are small. This ant is dark brown. CREMATOGASTER ANTS have a two segment waist and have a heart shaped abdomen. Dark brown in color with large spines on its back.

Does not fit, GO BACK TO ANTS VS TERMITES


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