Just ants? - Ask Extension
Wondering if these are just winged ants, or something more destructive like carpenter or termites.
Knowledgebase
Just ants? #788243
Asked April 27, 2022, 12:53 PM EDT
Wondering if these are just winged ants, or something more destructive like carpenter or termites.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Jeffrey,
Yes, those are winged ants with a few non-winged individuals mixed in. I can tell they are not termites based on the form of the antennae and the body outline of the non-winged individuals. I can't see enough detail to tell what type of ants those are though. An in-focus close-up photo of the wing venation and/or the body of a non-winged individual might help. Also, what size were they? I can't see anything in the photos that gives me an idea of scale.
Alternatively, if you don't want to take more photos, you could take some of those specimens to your local OSU Extension office or could send them to us at the OSU Plant Clinic for ID. If you like to send a sample to our Plant Clinic, here are some instructions...
https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic/insect-id-clinic/how-submit-insect-and-spider-materials
Yours,
Yes, those are winged ants with a few non-winged individuals mixed in. I can tell they are not termites based on the form of the antennae and the body outline of the non-winged individuals. I can't see enough detail to tell what type of ants those are though. An in-focus close-up photo of the wing venation and/or the body of a non-winged individual might help. Also, what size were they? I can't see anything in the photos that gives me an idea of scale.
Alternatively, if you don't want to take more photos, you could take some of those specimens to your local OSU Extension office or could send them to us at the OSU Plant Clinic for ID. If you like to send a sample to our Plant Clinic, here are some instructions...
https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic/insect-id-clinic/how-submit-insect-and-spider-materials
Yours,