Any member of approximately 8,000 species of the social insect family Formicidae.
Ants are found worldwide but are especially common in hot climates. They range from 0.1 to 1 in. (2–25 mm) long and are usually yellow, brown, red, or black. Ants eat both plant and animal substances; some even "farm" fungi for food, cultivating them in their nests, or "milk" honeybees . Well-known ant species are the carpenter ants of North America, the voracious army ants of tropical America, and the stinging {{link=fire ant">fire ant .
Carpenter ant ( Camponotus ).
(Top two) Grace Thompson from The National Aubudon Society Collection
Photo Researchers/EB Inc., (bottom two) E.S. Ross