Knowledgebase

Flying ants in my home #539836

Asked December 29, 2018, 9:42 PM EST

Hi, I’m hoping someone may be able to help me identify this insect. It has recently appeared in my house over the last week (I think I’ve killed 5-6 so far). Is this a carpenter ant or something else? I do not know where they are coming from and haven’t spotted any ants without wings. Can you help?

Boulder County Colorado

Expert Response

That looks to be the hunting wasp Pseneo punctatus. During the warm seasons it hunts leafhoppers and stores them in nest cells to provide food for the young wasp. A sheet on this insect is at: https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/arthropodsofcolorado/Pseneo-punctatus-leafhopper-hunting-was...

This insect appears indoors when potted plants that were outdoors in the summer are brought inside.  This insect nests in soil and will often nest in the soil cracks of potted plants.  Normally the adults emerge in late spring.  But when brought indoors they emerge months prematurely.

This wasp is harmless and the problem will ultimately end on its own as the wasps emerge, then die without reproducing.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 02, 2019, 11:48 AM EST
Thank you so much - you have no idea how relieved I am. The fact sheet you shared has a photo that looks identical to what I have in my house... and I had just bought 3 new house plants right before Christmas, so that fits with the description. Thank you again!
The Question Asker Replied January 02, 2019, 1:18 PM EST

Loading ...