The larvae of the pesky kitchen Sugar Ants, aka The Ghost Ants

What is it about?

The Ghost Ant is one of the most annoying household pest species in the tropics and subtropics, mainly around the Americas. These are small, fast moving, relentless whitish-yellow ants infesting kitchens, offices, hospitals in cities during the hot seasons. They will find available food, typically sugary bits, within minutes from their numerous nests, and will pester residents by invading water and sugar reserves. They can spread infections, and taste & smell awful. This is the first study to present their larvae in high resolution images and details. The larvae of these ants are unique in their shape and mouthparts: body resembles a spindle, and is almost devoid of hairs, and presents general reduction of mouthparts and structures. There is a wart-like protuberance near the anus, of unknown function, but likely associated with feeding adult ants with secreted liquids.

Featured Image

Photo by VINAY GUPTA on Unsplash

Photo by VINAY GUPTA on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Knowledge about the development of insects is central to understanding their biology and lifecycle, and essential information is usually flawed or entirely lacking. The relative number of ant species about which there just anything known about their larvae is less than 1%. This study is part of a series of investigations trying to fill in the knowledge gap about immature development of key pest ant species.

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