Odorous House Ant
Tapinoma sessile
This record describes Tapinoma sessile (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The low, nodeless petiole distinctive, may not be readily visible but clearly seen here Alates are reared in spring, not uncommonly in wall spaces or window frames of houses, but naturally in the upper portions of leaf piles, under bark, etc.
Wikipedia reference for Tapinoma sessile: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapinoma_sessile.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Dolichoderinae
- Tribe
- Tapinomini
- Genus
- Tapinoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Generally, any mesic or moist (but infrequently flooded) habitat ; virtually ubiquitous except in hot deserts (only in oases), cold alpine forests (but found in alpine meadows), or above timberline. Very abundant indoors in most of the US and so.Canada, less so in the Sunbelt.
Geographic Range
s.Canada to n.Mexico, coast to coast
Seasonal Activity
Active early in spring, often in kitchens
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Sweets and scavenged protein and fats.
Life History
Has distinct spring and summer forms, larger and darker individuals overwinter, smaller and paler ones are more abundant during the "dog days". Fly late spring.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tapinoma sessile (Say 1836)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Tapinoma sessile. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Odorous House Ant (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Vox Sciurorum , ceiseman , James C. Trager , v belov , Harsi S. Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Odorous House Ant
What is Odorous House Ant?
Odorous House Ant (Tapinoma sessile) is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Odorous House Ant?
workers 2–3 mm, alates 4–5 mm
How do you identify Odorous House Ant?
The low, nodeless petiole distinctive, may not be readily visible but clearly seen here
Where is Odorous House Ant found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Generally, any mesic or moist (but infrequently flooded) habitat ; virtually ubiquitous except in hot deserts (only in oases), cold alpine forests (but found in alpine meadows), or above timberline. Very abundant indoors in most of the US and so.Canada, less so in the Sunbelt. |
| Range | s.Canada to n.Mexico, coast to coast |
What does Odorous House Ant eat?
The diet of the Odorous House Ant includes Sweets and scavenged protein and fats..
When is Odorous House Ant active?
Odorous House Ant: seasonal activity - Active early in spring, often in kitchens.
What is the life cycle of a Odorous House Ant?
Has distinct spring and summer forms, larger and darker individuals overwinter, smaller and paler ones are more abundant during the dog days. Fly late spring.