Ants in Iowa, Common

Carpenter Ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus

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

"Smaller" Carpenter Ant, Camponotus nearcticus

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

Field Ant, Formica spp.

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

Larger Yellow Ant, Acanthomyops interjectus

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

Odorous House Ant, Tapinoma sessile

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

Thief Ant or Grease Ant, Solenopsis molesta

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

Pavement Ant, Tetramorium caespitum

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

Pharaoh Ant, Monomorium pharaonis

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