# Argentine Ant (*Linepithema humile*) Argentine ants are tiny, hardworking insects that live in big groups called colonies. They are known for their teamwork and can be found in many places around the world! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Argentine Ant](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Linepithema_Argentine_ant.jpg&width=800) Photo: Penarc, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Linepithema_Argentine_ant.jpg) ## Appearance The Argentine Ant is a small, slender ant with a shiny, uniform dark brown body. Unlike some ants, its workers are all roughly the same size and lack obvious spines or distinctive body segments, giving it a sleek appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Formicidae - **Genus:** Linepithema ## Interesting facts - Argentine ants sometimes nest directly inside houses, seeking warmth and food. - Queens can lay up to 60 eggs every single day, growing colonies fast. - They don't fight ants from their own supercolony, even if from far away! - They protect sap-sucking aphids to 'farm' their sweet honeydew. ## Special abilities - **Super Colony Builders:** Argentine Ant can form massive supercolonies stretching for thousands of miles, letting millions of ants work together. - **Chemical Communicators:** Argentine Ant has special scent signals that help them quickly share food locations or warn about danger. - **Adaptable Invaders:** Argentine Ant can thrive in many different environments, helping them spread quickly around the globe. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 2-3 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-365 days - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 100000000 ## Diet & Feeding These ants munch on almost anything sweet or protein-rich they can find! - **Primary Foods:** Honeydew, Nectar, Fruits, Dead insects, Sugary foods, Oils - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** Cotton Aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Protects aphids for their sugary honeydew. - **Hunts:** [California Harvester Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-harvester-ant) (*Pogonomyrmex californicus*) — Outcompetes and attacks native ant species. - **Eaten by:** [European Starling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-starling) (*Sturnus vulgaris*) — Common prey for many insectivorous birds. - **Eats:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Scavenges on dead insects for protein. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be careful not to disturb ant nests, as they are busy working together. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Argentine Ant? Compare the antennae, waist segments, body proportions and size. Workers, queens and males of the same species can look surprisingly different. Ant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Argentine Ant? 2-3 mm ### How long does Argentine Ant live? 60-365 days ### What does Argentine Ant eat? These ants munch on almost anything sweet or protein-rich they can find! ### Where is Argentine Ant usually found? Urban areas ### How does Argentine Ant hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Argentine Ant have? 6 ### How large are Argentine Ant colonies? 100000000 ## Where to spot - [Hakone Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hakone-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Regional Parks Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/regional-parks-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mildred-e-mathias-botanical-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Cabrillo Heights Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-heights-park) — California, US · Park [View all places to see Argentine Ant](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/argentine-ant) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Argentine Ant: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/argentine-ant)