I am not a termite

[Eric Gofreed]

Winged American Harvester Ant

Winged carpenter ants, or alates, are the reproductive members of the colony. They swarm in warm weather, usually in spring or early summer, to mate. After mating in mid-air, males die, and fertilized females shed their wings to start new colonies.

American Harvester Ants measure 0.5 to 0.75 inches, and are often confused with termites. However, winged carpenter ants can be distinguished by their pinched waists, elbowed antennae, and longer front wings compared to their hind wings. In contrast, termites have straight antennae, a broad waist, and wings of equal length.

 

[AlanLichty]

Those are pretty big ants. Is the rest of the colony the regular carpenter ants without wings?

We had the misfortune of having a colony that set up their nest in our house structure. The amount of damage they can do is pretty amazing. And expensive to repair once the colony has been exterminated.

 

[BlackRockArt]

Winged American Harvester Ant

View attachment 74248
Winged carpenter ants, or alates, are the reproductive members of the colony. They swarm in warm weather, usually in spring or early summer, to mate. After mating in mid-air, males die, and fertilized females shed their wings to start new colonies.

View attachment 74247
American Harvester Ants measure 0.5 to 0.75 inches, and are often confused with termites. However, winged carpenter ants can be distinguished by their pinched waists, elbowed antennae, and longer front wings compared to their hind wings. In contrast, termites have straight antennae, a broad waist, and wings of equal length.

Facinating little creature, well captured details.

Oliver

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Those are pretty big ants. Is the rest of the colony the regular carpenter ants without wings?

We had the misfortune of having a colony that set up their nest in our house structure. The amount of damage they can do is pretty amazing. And expensive to repair once the colony has been exterminated.

Correct, no wings in the colony. Ants only have wings during the reproductive swarms in early summer.

 

[Trent Watts]

Thanks Eric. Great information and wonderful images as usual.

 

[KevinA]

Great shots Eric and a good description of the differences compared to Termites. Not that I'm likely to come across either, but it's still nice to know.

 

[JimFox]

Wow, it looks like a termite at first glance!

That's some great imaging Eric.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Fantastic images Eric.

 

[Kurt Harrigan]

Fantastic images Eric.

Pretty nice, Eric. What lens are you using for these? Were they handheld?