Description

• Tapinoma melanocephalum, commonly known as the ghost ant, is a tiny ant in the family Formicidae. Workers typically have a dark brown head and thorax contrasting with a pale, almost translucent abdomen and legs. Colonies contain multiple queens and can establish nests in several nearby locations, allowing them to spread readily. Workers form trails while searching for food.

Range

• Originally from tropical regions, the ghost ant has spread throughout tropical and subtropical areas worldwide and is common in warm parts of the Americas. It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• Ghost ants thrive in warm, humid environments. Outdoors, they nest in soil, leaf litter, rotting wood, beneath stones, and among plant roots. They also readily enter buildings, where they may nest in wall cavities, potted plants, and other sheltered spaces.

Diet

• Tapinoma melanocephalum is an opportunistic omnivore. Workers feed on sugary substances such as nectar and honeydew produced by sap-feeding insects, as well as household food residues. They also collect proteins and fats from small insects and other organic material.