Flying ants are a familiar sight during the warmer months. The term “flying ant” does not refer to a single species but rather a temporary life stage across many different ant types. Understanding the size of these insects depends entirely on the specific species and the unique role the individual plays within its colony. This variation means the size can range from just a few millimeters to nearly an inch in length.
Alates: The Identity of Flying Ants
A flying ant is the reproductive form produced by a mature ant colony. These winged individuals are known as alates, encompassing both virgin queens and male ants. Their primary function is reproduction and dispersal.
The alates emerge from their parent colony in a synchronized event called a nuptial flight, which is triggered by specific weather conditions like high humidity and warmth. During this flight, the female alates mate with the males, securing the necessary sperm to found a new colony. Once mating is complete, the males soon die, while the newly fertilized queens shed their wings and search for a suitable location to establish a new nest.
Size Variation: Measurements by Species and Role
The size of a flying ant is determined by two main factors: the species of ant and the sex of the alate. Female alates, which are the future queens, are consistently larger and more robust than their male counterparts. They require a larger body mass to store energy and nutrients needed for egg production and to survive the initial phase of founding a new colony.
One of the largest examples is the Carpenter Ant (Camponotus species). The winged males can measure up to 18 millimeters (about 0.7 inches) in body length. The female alates, or virgin queens, are often the largest individuals in the colony, with some species reaching lengths of 20 to 25 millimeters (up to one inch). These large queens possess a proportionally thicker thorax to accommodate the powerful wing muscles used for dispersal flight.
In contrast, the alates of the Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) are much smaller. Female fire ant alates are around 8 to 9 millimeters (about 0.33 inches) long, whereas the males are noticeably smaller, often measuring closer to 6 millimeters (about 0.24 inches). Despite their smaller size, the fire ant queens are still significantly larger than the worker ants, which are rarely more than 5 millimeters long.
The Pavement Ant (Tetramorium immigrans), one of the most common ants found near sidewalks and driveways, has some of the smallest alates. The winged reproductives of this species are usually about twice the size of the worker ants, placing their length in the range of 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.31 inches). Even within this size range, the female alates are thicker and longer than the slender male drones.
Distinguishing Flying Ants from Termites
Swarming insects can often lead to misidentification, with flying ants frequently confused with winged termites, which are a serious threat to wooden structures. The most effective way to distinguish between these two insects is to carefully examine three key body characteristics. This visual comparison provides the necessary information for identification, which is important because most flying ants pose no threat to a building’s structure.
The first difference is the waist. In ants, the waist is distinctly pinched and narrow, resembling a thin stalk connecting the thorax and abdomen. Termite swarmers, by contrast, have a broad, thick waist, making their body appear more uniform in width and cylindrical from head to abdomen. This characteristic is often the easiest to spot even with a quick glance.
The antennae also provide a clear visual difference upon closer inspection. Flying ants possess antennae that are bent or “elbowed” at a sharp angle. Termite swarmers, however, have straight antennae that look like a string of tiny beads.
Finally, the wings themselves offer the third distinction. Flying ants have two pairs of wings where the front pair is noticeably longer than the hind pair. Termite swarmers have four wings of roughly equal size and length, which are typically much longer than the insect’s body. Observing these three features allows for a reliable identification of the winged insect.