Acrobat Ants

by Wizzie Brown

Acrobat ants usually nest outdoors under stones or in dead wood such as firewood, tree stumps, dead tree branches, or hollow tree cavities. Because they are found in similar habitats, acrobat ants are sometimes confused with carpenter ants. Indoors they can nest in foam insulating board or water damaged wood. Acrobat ants get their name from the act of raising their abdomen over their thorax when in defensive posture which makes the ants look similar to circus acrobats.
Acrobat ants have a reddish-brown head and thorax with a dark blue-black abdomen. The abdomen is a distinctive heart-shape. Acrobat ants primarily feed on honeydew produced by aphids and can often be seen tending honeydew producers on plants. They will sometimes use overhanging tree branches or power lines to enter homes in search of food.
Outdoors, acrobat ants are usually not a problem directly. They can be seen as a problem in that they will protect honeydew producers from predators and parasites. You can use this to your advantage by using the acrobat ants as a monitoring tool to watch if you have honeydew producers on your plants.

• To avoid a home invasion by acrobats follow these tips:
• Remove tree stumps and dead limbs from trees.
• Trim back branches overhanging or touching the roof.
• Fill tree cavities with sand.
• Do not store firewood in or near the home.
• Keep weather stripping around doors and windows in good repair.
• Seal around pipe penetrations with caulk or expanding foam.
• Fix any water leaks.
• Replace water damaged wood on the structure.
• Spray around the foundation of the home—select a product labeled for ants.

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com