ant, (family Formicidae), any of approximately 10,000 species of insects that are social in habit and live together in organized colonies. Ants occur worldwide but are most numerous, both in numbers and in species, in tropical and subtropical regions.

Ants belong to the family Formicidae within the order Hymenoptera, which they share with bees and wasps. They are among the most successful insects on Earth, with over 12,000 known species and a presence on every continent except Antarctica.

Ants are an important prey species for many different reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, birds, and mammals. Longevity can’t be generalized to all ants, but queens usually live for several years and workers for only a few weeks or months. Ant populations are stable.

What are ants? Ants are common insects, but they have some unique capabilities—including their legendary communication skills that allow their colonies to function as superorganisms.

Ants may be small in size, but their collective intelligence, social structures, and diverse behaviors are truly awe-inspiring. These tiny insects play vital roles in ecosystems, helping with seed dispersal, decomposition, and soil aeration.

Despite their tiny size, ants have long intrigued scientists with their exceptional work ethic and resourcefulness, and their sophisticated social structures.

Bright red ant, likely part of the Formica pallidefulva species group, on a flower Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. [2] Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been described. They are easily identified by their ...