Animal Species:Sugar Ant
Sugar Ants are relatively large ants with an orange-brown middle and black head and abdomen.
A single Sugar Ant
Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
Size range
5 mm - 15 mm
Distribution
Sugar Ants are found throughout Australia.
Habitat
Sugar ants live in urban areas, forests and woodlands, and heath.
Feeding and Diet
The Sugar Ant's name comes from a liking for sugar, but they are attracted to any sweet food. They are omnivores and can be seen foraging under street or house lights during the summer months. They also collect nectar and other secretions from plants, as well as honeydew from aphids and other plant-eating invertebrates such as caterpillars.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Sugar Ants tend aphids much like farmers tend their stock, moving them around and protecting them from predators.
Classification
- Species:
- consobrinus
- Genus:
- Camponotus
- Subfamily:
- Formicinae
- Family:
- Formicidae
- Superfamily:
- Vespoidea
- Suborder:
- Apocrita
- Order:
- Hymenoptera
- Class:
- Insecta
- Subphylum:
- Uniramia
- Phylum:
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
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Tags ants, insecs, insects, arthropods, invertebrates, identification, wildlife of sydney,