Ants in Iowa, Common

Prepared by Donald R. Lewis and Laura Jesse, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University. A PDF of this information is available below.

Carpenter Ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus

1/2 to 3/4 inch; 1 node
Black
Evenly rounded thorax

Artist rendering of a carpenter ant

"Smaller" Carpenter Ant, Camponotus nearcticus

1/4 - 1/2 inch; 1 node; Brown; red thorax
Evenly rounded thorax

Artist rendering of a 'smaller' carpenter ant

Field Ant, Formica spp.

3/8 inch; 1 node
Brown to black
Thorax silhouette uneven in side view

Artist rendering of a field ant

Larger Yellow Ant, Acanthomyops interjectus

1/4 inch; 1 node, Yellow-orange
Very small eyes

Artist rendering of a larger yellow ant

Odorous House Ant, Tapinoma sessile

1/8 inch; 1 node that is not easily seen
Dark brown to black
Abdomen slopes forward over node

Artist rendering of an odorous house ant

Thief Ant or Grease Ant, Solenopsis molesta

1/16 inch; 2 nodes
Light brown to yellow
10 antenna segments, w/ 2 segment club

Artist rendering of a grease ant

Pavement Ant, Tetramorium immigrans

1/16 to 1/8 inch; 2 nodes
Yellowish red; One pair of spines on thorax
Sculptured lines on head

Artist rendering of a pavement ant

Pharaoh Ant, Monomorium pharaonis

1/16 inch; 2 nodes, light yellowish red
12 antenna segments, w/ 3 segment club

Artist rendering of a pharaoh ant

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