Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants appear in the fossil record across the globe in considerable diversity during the latest Early Cretaceous and early Late Cretaceous, suggesting an earlier origin. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period, and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. They are easily identified by their geniculate (elbowed) antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists. Learn more about Ant
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Ant Species Videos
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Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status |
African Army Ant (5 videos) | Dorylus gribodoi | Not Available |
Argentine Ant (49 videos) | Linepithema humile | Not Available |
Driver Ant (10 videos) | Dorylus nigricans | Not Available |
Golden-tailed Spiny Ant (2 videos) | Polyrhachis ammon | Not Available |
Green Tree Ant (12 videos) | Oecophylla smaragdina | Not Available |
Leafcutter Ant (269 videos) | Atta cephalotes | Not Available |
Matabele Ant (184 videos) | Megaponera analis | Not Available |
Mushroom Harvesting Ant (20 videos) | Euprenolepis procera | Not Available |
Red Imported Fire Ant (10 videos) | Solenopsis invicta | Not Available |
Red Wood Ant (1 videos) | Formica rufa | Not Available |
Sahara Desert Ant (1 videos) | Cataglyphis bicolor | Not Available |