Tramp Ant
Tetramorium bicarinatum
This record describes Tetramorium bicarinatum (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
photos
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Crematogastrini
- Genus
- Tetramorium (Pavement Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It is not an aggressive invader of structures, but is commonly found along sidewalks, driveways, in and around flowerbeds, around foundations of buildings and in rotting wood. They have large polygynous (multiple queen) colonies with polydomous (multiple nest) habits. The nests may be widely distributed in a given area. - TAMU
Geographic Range
native to Africa, introduced into the US through commerce; now common in the south and ranges into so. Canada ( map )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: prefers sugar-rich food; in nature, tends and protects aphids, mealybugs, and scales for honeydew
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Latin carina 'keel' (reference to grooved head)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Tetramorium bicarinatum. 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 Tramp Ant (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Tramp Ant
How do you identify Tramp Ant?
photos
Where is Tramp Ant found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | It is not an aggressive invader of structures, but is commonly found along sidewalks, driveways, in and around flowerbeds, around foundations of buildings and in rotting wood. They have large polygynous (multiple queen) colonies with polydomous (multiple nest) habits. The nests may be widely distributed in a given area. - TAMU |
| Range | native to Africa, introduced into the US through commerce; now common in the south and ranges into so. Canada ( map ) |
What does Tramp Ant eat?
The diet of the Tramp Ant includes prefers sugar-rich food; in nature, tends and protects aphids, mealybugs, and scales for honeydew.