Acrobat Ants
Crematogaster Species
Acrobat ants are monomorphic and range in size from 1/10 to 1/6” in length. In South Florida they are black in color but in other parts of the country can be yellow, brown, or red. Acrobat ants feed on live and dead insects and honeydew. Like many other ant species, they tend for the homopterans, honeydew-producing insects.
A unique feature of acrobat ants is their habit of raising the abdomen over the head and thorax when disturbed. Another feature of this ant is their heart-shaped abdomen.
Acrobat ants are considered occasional invader since they are not usually found inside homes. Outdoors, acrobat ants nest under rocks, rotten logs, tree holes, stumps, and firewood. Indoors they nest in the same areas carpenter ants go for. This includes wood damaged by moisture and fungal decay. Occasionally they nest in abandon galleries formed by termites, wood beetles, and caterpillars.
Acrobat ants are aggressive and will bite and emit a repulsive odor when the colony is disturbed.