Carpenter ants are a common household pest, and many wonder if they have wings. Some develop wings, while others do not, a difference related to their roles within the colony and life cycle. Understanding which ants have wings and why provides insight into their behavior and presence.
The Purpose of Wings in Carpenter Ants
Only reproductive males and females, known as alates or swarmers, develop wings. Their singular purpose is to leave the parent colony for mating flights. Their wings enable them to disperse, find mates from other colonies, and establish new colonies.
This dispersal mechanism aids the species’ survival and genetic diversity. After mating, male alates die. Fertilized females shed their wings, seeking a suitable nesting site to become new queens. In contrast, worker ants, the majority of the colony, are always wingless. They are responsible for daily tasks like foraging, caring for the young, and expanding the nest.
Identifying Winged Carpenter Ants
Identifying winged carpenter ants requires careful observation to distinguish them from winged termites. Carpenter ants have a distinct, narrow, or “pinched” waist between their thorax and abdomen, unlike a termite’s broad waist. Their antennae are also bent or “elbowed,” whereas termites have straight, beaded antennae.
Carpenter ants have two pairs of wings, with the front pair longer than the hind pair. These wings often have a brownish tint and fewer veins compared to termite wings. Termites, conversely, have two pairs of wings equal in size and length, often appearing milky or translucent with many small veins. Carpenter ants have darker, harder bodies, while termites have lighter, softer bodies. These physical characteristics help identify the winged insect.
When Winged Carpenter Ants Appear
Winged carpenter ants emerge, often in spring or early summer. This emergence, known as a nuptial flight or swarming, is influenced by environmental conditions like rising temperatures and humidity. Swarming indicates a carpenter ant colony has matured and is ready to expand.
A colony reaches this reproductive stage after two to five years, producing hundreds of winged individuals annually. During swarming, male and female alates leave the parent nest to mate. After mating, the female sheds her wings and seeks a suitable location, often in moist or decaying wood, to establish a new colony and become a queen.
What Seeing Winged Carpenter Ants Means
The presence of winged carpenter ants, especially indoors, indicates a nearby, mature carpenter ant colony. While an occasional lone winged ant might be a lost individual, many suggest an active infestation. These winged ants themselves do not cause damage; rather, their appearance signals an active, reproducing colony.
Carpenter ants excavate wood to create galleries for their nests, which can lead to structural damage over time. Finding winged ants indoors suggests a parent or satellite colony resides within the home’s structure. This situation warrants attention, as an untreated infestation can result in ongoing wood damage.