Crematogaster scutellaria

SPECIES: Crematogaster scutellaris (order Hymenoptera)

COMMON NAME: Red-headed ant

SIZE: Workers are 2.5-4 mm long.

LIFECYCLE: The lifecycle of an ant consists of four stages: egg-larva-pupa-adult. The eggs, small, white or yellowish, are laid in huge numbers by the queen (colonies may also contain millions of ants, all produced by a single queen) and, within 2-6 weeks develop into larvae. After being fed for a period ranging from a few weeks to several months, they become pupae. During the pupal stage, the ant remains idle: it feeds and undergoes the profound transformation into an adult insect.

FEATURES: Crematogaster scutellaris is easily identifiable by its red head and the black, heart-shaped abdomen. This is the most widespread species of ant in Italy. Native to Africa, it is also colloquially known as the "acrobat ant" due to its unusual defensive pose: it raises its abdomen, threatening the opponent with its stinger, which is of modest dimensions.

HABITAT/DAMAGE: The ants nest mainly in trees, but can infest humidity-damaged worked wood that is already rotting, limiting the extent of their nest to the damaged area. Its presence is accompanied by the appearance of fine sawdust.

DIET: Polyphagous predators, acrobat ants protect colonies of aphids. They eat meat, live and dead insects, the bodies of small animals, but will also eat foods of vegetable origin, and almost all ants in Italy love sugar.

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