Ghost Ant — printable fact sheet

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Ghost Ant

Tapinoma melanocephalum

The ghost ant is a tiny, pale-colored ant species known for its almost translucent legs and abdomen, which give it a ghostly appearance. Originally from the Old World tropics, this ant has spread worldwide, especially in warm, humid environments and greenhouses. Ghost ants are h…

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Formicidae

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical environments, frequently found indoors in human dwellings

Diet

Omnivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

Several weeks to a few months

Weight

0.1–0.3 mg

Scientific name

Tapinoma melanocephalum

Did you know?

Despite their tiny size, ghost ants can establish vast colonies with interconnected nests spanning entire buildings.
Ghost ants are named for their translucent appearance, which makes them difficult to spot; they can quickly form new colonies by splitting off with multiple queens; they commonly prefer sweets and are notorious for invading homes in search of sugary foods.

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