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Pest Profile Pest Profile Photo credit: By Andybrookestar, [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Common Name: Ghost Ant Scientific Name: Tapinoma melanocephalum. Order and Family: Hymenoptera: Formicidae Size and Appearance: Worker ants are monomorphic (one size) and roughly 1.3-1.5 mm in length. The ants are pale in color, have 12-segmented antennae without a segmented club, as well as no spines on the thorax. They have no true stinger and emit a coconut scented odor when crushed. Length (mm) Appearance Egg < 0.05 mm in length White, round, eggs are laid by queen, and live in very small colonies, some only 2,000 workers. Abandoning nests is common practice. Larva/Nymph 0.5-2.0 mm in length Small, white, cylindrical body. depending on instar Adult 1.3-1.5 mm long depending on Similar sized workers with pale caste body color, 12-segmented antennae with no segmented club, and no spines present on thorax. No stinger, coconut- scent when crushed or disturbed. Pupa (if applicable) 1.5-4 mm long Pupal cased formed from the last larval skin and is light brown. Size depends on caste. Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.): Chewing Host /s: Tapinoma melanocephalum have a strong preference for honeydew and are usually found nearby insect species that produce it, such as aphids. They will also feed on dead insects, like other ant species tend to do. Description of Damage (larvae and adults): The species is mostly a nuisance pest and will be found near moist spaces in the home. They feed on stored food products and can chew on electrical wiring. References: Smith, E.H. and Whitman, R.C. (2007). Ants- Ghost Ant. In NPMA Field Guide of Structural Pests. (1.1.1). National Pest Management Association International. H., Johnson, N., Borror and Delongs Introduction to the Study of Insects. Brooks/Cole, 7th Ed. 2005. Pp. 672 & 729-730. Nickerson, J.C., Bloomcamp, C.L. 2003. Ghost Ants. University of Florida. Department of Entomology and Nematology. Retrieved from the web on October 8th, 2016 from: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/ants/ghost_ant.htm .
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  • Tapinoma Melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793), a New Exotic Ant in Spain (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
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