Field Ants

Facts about Field Ants, "Scientific name for Field Ants is Formica species". Field Ants are a type of ant species that belongs to the Formicida family. The Field Ants historical origin is dating to the open woodlands and shrublands of North America, Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. The Field Ants mostly construct their nests in the surfaces beside fields, lawns, parks and gardens. Some species of Field Ants also build their nests close to sidewalks, trees, building basements, rocks and fences. A certain group of field ants dig up soils from the ground which they use in constructing their habitation mounds.

The Field Ants have polymorphous workers which vary in size from 13/64 to 3/8 inches (5.08 to 9.52 mil).
The Field Ants also have diversified colors among which include; bi-colored, brown, tan, black and red. In most cases, most people confuse field ants with carpenter ants mostly due to having nearly the same size. The main difference between Field Ants and carpenter ants is that field ants have three simple eyes in the front section of the head and a single node which are not common in carpenter ants. Unlike carpenter ants, Field Ants also have a circlet of hair all round the opening located in a tip in the abdomen through where the ant releases formic acid.

The most common food for field ants is honeydew; a component obtained from insects such as aphids (a minute bug that feeds by sucking sap from plants and roots. It reproduces rapidly, often producing live young without mating, and may live in large colonies that cause extensive damage to crops) and mealy bugs. To get aphids, field ants have to dig into trees and shrubs. Common species of Field Ants will also feed on other insects and meat. Unlike other ants, Field Ants do not invade home indoors to get food but search for food on the outdoor surroundings.

Field Ants mate between the months of July to September. Most studies state that field ants are polygamous, meaning that they stay with more than one queen in a single colony. These queens can be mated by a single drone or multiple drones. Just like other ants, the winged males and females take the nuptial flight to mate and the males die afterwards because they can no longer feed. The female Field Ant then moves out to establish a new nest where she lays her eggs. The eggs hatch to produce new Field Ants workers and winged males and females called swarmers. The queen Field Ants nurtures the brood until the workers are able to forage. The winged males and females Field Ants also fly out to mate, continuing the cycle

The field ants have an approximate lifespan of 10 years. However, some studies show that they can live much longer than this. Compared to other ants, field ants do not hurt even though they bite whenever agitated. All the same, a few species of the field ant release formic acid which is the main cause of the hitching effect felt once one is bitten.

Due to their ability to feed on insects and aphids, field ants are considered very essential animals in various parts of the world for feeding some birds and other species. As a matter of fact, some people especially in North America introduce field ants in their forests in order to feed on the dangerous pests like sawfly, swains, jack pines and tent caterpillars.
Field Ants are omnivores like humans, an omnivores, (definition-they eat both other animals and plants).
Field Ants have two stomachs, one that holds food for them to eat and one for other the colony.