Black House Ant
Ochetellus Spp.
Appearance
- Shiny & black.
- 2-3 mm long
Lifecycle
- Larva hatches out of the egg as a white grub which is narrower towards the head. They are fed by the adults.
- The larva pupates and appears creamy-white, looking similar to an adult. Sometimes they have a protective silk cocoon around them.
- The adult emerges with the three defined body sections: head, thorax and abdomen.
- The length of time between the egg stage and ants emerging as adults can take 6 weeks or more; it depends on a variety of factors such as the species of ant, the temperature and the availability of food.
- Fertilised eggs become female, unfertilised become males.
Habits
- Black House Ants nest under bark or in decaying timber.
- They infest homes and buildings in search of food and water; they are especially attracted to sweet foods but also eat the honeydew which is secreted from sap-sucking insects.
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