UC IPM Online UC ANR home page UC IPM home page

UC IPM Home

Search

SKIP navigation
How to Manage Pests

Home & garden
Agriculture
Natural environments
Exotic & invasive

Weather data & products
Degree-days
Interactive tools & models

Identification Galleries

Natural enemies
Weeds

Educational Resources

Publications & more
Workshops and events
Training programs
Pesticide information

Research and IPM

Grants programs
Funded-project results

 

UC IPM Home > Antkey > Introduction > Quick ID Tips

How to Manage Pests

Key to Identifying Common Household Ants


Quick tips to identifying ants—Ant anatomy

Eye
Antennal Club
Scape
Spine
Petiole Nodes
Gaster


What to know about ant anatomy

  • Correct ID is essential because different species require different controls.
  • Ants have 3 main body regions: head, thorax, and abdomen.
  • When identifying ants, it is important to know how to count petiole nodes and antennal segments.
  • Other structures, such as the eyes, thoracic spines, and gaster, are important when distinguishing ant species.

How well do you know your ant anatomy?

Helpful identification tips

Ready to identify ants?







Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
All contents copyright © 2008 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /TOOLS/ANTKEY/antid2.html revised: October 15, 2008. Contact webmaster.