Monomorium pharaonis

SPECIES: Monomorium pharaonis ( order Hymenoptera )

COMMON NAME: Pharoah ant

SIZE: Under 2 mm

LIFECYCLE: The lifecycle of an ant consists of four stages: egg-larva-pupa-adult. The eggs, small, white or yellowish, are laid in huge numbers by the queen (colonies may also contain millions of ants, all produced by a single queen) and, within 2-6 weeks develop into larvae. After being fed for a period ranging from a few weeks to several months, they become pupae. During the pupal stage, the ant remains idle: it feeds and undergoes the profound transformation into an adult insect.

FEATURES: Photophobic. Workers are yellow ochre, with the end of the abdomen coloured brown. Colonies may reach and exceed 100,000 ants.

HABITAT: prefers hot environments. Very common in food industry sites, they are often found where there are juices, syrups, confectionery, and meats. They can be found in supermarkets, hotels and homes, and in particularly warm climatic conditions. It nests under floors, in crevices, both outside and inside buildings, and in the ground. The nests are very difficult to detect because the workers may travel long distances from their nest.

DIET: polyphagous (eats many kinds of food).

DAMAGE: A potential vector for pathogens.

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