The flying ant with a stinger shows some peculiar features. You may find both larger black and smaller red flying ants with active mandibles and stings on the end of their abdomen.
The black and red flying ants with stingers are the tiny hair-like structure on the bottom of the gaster used for defense. The fire and harvester flying ants (male and female) most frequently possess the stinger.
Here, I will show you the exact location of the flying ant stings with some essential features. You will also find the difference between flying and wingless ants’ biting and stinging behavior.
So, if you want to know the details of the flying ants with their stinger, let’s continue this article till the end.
Flying ant with a stinger
Typically, you will not find the active stinger in the flying ant. The flying ants are female queen or male that usually remains calm and quiet.
First, let’s see the list of flying ants that possess the stinger –
- #1. Larger black carpenter flying ants,
- #2. Larger harvester flying ants,
- #3. Smaller red flying fire ants, and
- #4. Larger flying bullet ants,
Some other species of flying ants species also show a smaller stinger on the bottom of the abdomen. The female queen and male of the carpenter, harvester, fire, and bullet ants have wings and can fly in the air.
You may also know the details of the external anatomical features of the queen ants and male ants from the below-mentioned article –
But, the pure worker ants of the colony don’t possess any wings and can’t fly. But, if you see the external anatomical facts from the bottom of these workers’ ant’s abdomen, you will find the well-developed stinger.
What is ants stinger?
The ant’s stinger is a hair-like structure on the bottom of the abdomen or gaster. In some insects, this stinger is the modification of the ovipositor.
And you know, an ovipositor is the tube-like structure that helps to lay eggs in an insect. The black carpenter and red or brownish harvester ants have stingers used for defense.
They (black and red flying ants) also use their stringer to prey on other insects. Typically, these flying ants remain in the nest to care for the pupa, feed them, and store feed.
But, in certain situations (threatened or attach by others), these flying ants use their stinger to protect themselves within the nest. Again, they also may be dangerous if any other animal disturbs them.
At that time, these flying ants show aggressive behaviors and can bite and sting these animals. Even they will sting humans if they become more aggressive.
But, the ants’ stingers are structurally and functionally different from bees and wasps. Let’s see the structure and reaction of the flying or worker ant’s stingers compared to bees and wasps from table 1 –
| Stingers | Ants stinger | Bee stinger | Wasps stinger |
| Structure | Hair like | Hooked like | Less hooked |
| Reaction | Localized reaction | Generalized (allergic) | Generalized |
Flying ant sting facts
Typically, you will find eight segments in the abdomen of an ant. But, you may quickly identify only 4 segments externally from the worker ants.
Five distinct segments are identified externally from the female queen flying ants. At the terminal segment of the flying female and worker, ants have the sting.
This sting of the flying ants can be traced back to the primitive homolog (ovipositor). Rather than the ant, some of the insects have 3 pairs of appendages on the sting or ovipositor.
But, you will find 2 pairs of appendages on the ninth segment of the abdomen. But, in ant, bee, and wasps, this structure loses its primitive functions and become an organ of defense.
The paired appendages of the sting become come close and form a single organ. Again, appendages from the tenth segment of the abdomen fuse to form the single, pointed structure (gorgeret).
This structure (gorgeret) encloses the pair of appendages of the eight segments of the abdomen. Now, this structure has become slender and pointed and forms the stylets.
Again, the appendage from the ninth segment is somewhat lamelliform and don’t fuse with each other. They enclose the gorgeret and form the covering of the sting.
The duct of the flying ant sting contains little allergic substance (compared to the bee and wasps). What happens if the flying ant stings on the skin of any animal or human?
At that time of stinging by the flying ant, the pointed gorgeret is thrust into the skin. Again, the stylets are alternatively pushing deeper into the wound of the skin beyond at the bottom of the gorgeret.
Black flying ant with a longer stinger and red legs
Is there any black flying ant with a longer stinger and red legs? The black carpenter flying ants (female, queen, and male) possess longer stingers and red legs compared to other ants.
If you see the external anatomical features of the larger black carpenter ants (female, queen, and male), you will see some peculiar features like – the presence of stripes, single nodes, and segmented antennae.
The below-mentioned article will help you to know the details of the stripes from the black carpenter ants –
Again, you will also know the external anatomical facts of winged or flying black and red carpenter ants from the below-mentioned article –
From this article, you will also get an idea of the difference between wing carpenter ants and winged termites.
“Though the winged carpenter ants and winged termites look similar, the winged termite doesn’t sting people or other animals.”
The legs of these black flying carpenter ants are somewhat red and possess some golden yellow hairs. But, the color of the legs of these flying carpenter ants may vary.
Again, the carpenter ant shows a longer sting if you compare the length of the stings from different ants species (carpenter, harvester, fire, and bullet).
Does a smaller fire ant have a sting?
Yes, the smaller red flying fire ant also possesses sting on the bottom of their abdomen or gaster. But the sting length is somewhat smaller than the carpenter ants.
Again, the bottom of the tiny flying red fire ant shows dark brown hairs on the abdomen (especially on the bottom). You may get the essential external facts from the red flying ants from the below-mentioned article –
The bottom of the red imported fire ant shows the sting (let’s see the picture of the fire ant). Though this sting is minor compared to other ants, the stinging reaction on the host is more severe than the other ants.
Red harvester ant with a sting
You know the harvester ants are one of the most peculiar and larger insects in Texas and Ohio. These larger harvester ants also possess active stings on the bottom of their gaster.
But do their flying female queen and male possess any stings? Yes, you will also find the stings in the red harvester flying ants. This sting is comparatively larger than these of the red imported fire ants.
If you see the external facts from the red harvester ants, you will find the following features –
- They are 6.5 – 12.5 millimeters long,
- The color of their body is red to dark brown color,
- You will find the squarish head and 2 other segments in a red harvester ant,
- They possess a stronger mandible on their mouth segment,
- You will typically find 2 nodes (petiole) between the junction of the thorax and abdomen,
But, there is no spine on the back part of the thorax of a red harvester ant. The flying female queen and the male king will swarm and mate, especially following rain.
The flying female red harvester ants are typically larger than these of the worker and male. But, you will find similar features in the life cycle of a red harvester ant as you find in other different ants.
“The red harvester (flying female, male, and worker) are a good pet for ant keepers. If you love to keep ants and make an ant farm, you may keep red harvester ants.”
Why are flying red harvester ants serious?
Both flying and wingless red harvester ants possess an active stinger. These ants can give a painful, stinging bite to people or other animals.
But, typically, they are not reluctant to attack any animals or people. But, if you disturb these flying or wingless red harvester ants, they will attack.
If they give a stinging bite, the effect of this bite may spread along the lymph channel. Thus, it becomes more serious to the host and shows different symptoms. In that case, the host needs immediate medical care.
What happens if a flying ant bites you?
From the above discussion, you come to know the harvester ant, fire ant, carpenter ant, and bullet ant have a stinging bite. So, let’s know what happens if a flying ant bites you.
The reaction of the bite and sting of these flying ants varies from person to person. Typically, you will find 2 types of reaction to the stinging bite of the flying ants –
- Local reaction and
- Generalized or allergic reaction,
What happens in local reaction to the stinging bite of a flying ant? Usually, you will see the following symptoms in the biting site –
- Pain, redness, and swelling in the site of the flying ant’s bite,
- Sometimes show the pimple like structure in the biting and stinging site,
- Warm on the biting site, and
- Moderate to less itching on the biting site,
In serious bites by the harvester and bullet ants, bleeding may sometimes occur from the biting and stinging site. The stinging site may become infected if multiple stings occur in the same site.
But, the allergic reaction caused by the flying ant bite and stinger is more serious and needs immediate medical care. You may find rapid breathing, rapid pulse, dizziness, and other others following symptoms –
- Redness, itchy rash on the biting and stinging site,
- These rashes may spread surrounding the biting site,
- Swelling in the throat, mouth, and other tissues,
- Restlessness and anxiety in people and also in animals, and
- Difficult in swallowing,
But, this allergic reaction to flying ant bites is not common. As I said, this reaction varies from person to person so the same stinging bite can cause severe damage to one and less damage to another.
Do flying ants bite dogs?
This is not usual evidence that flying ants bite dogs. But, in some particular situations, flying ants like harvester, fire, and carpenter ants can bite and sting dogs.
When the dog rests on the ground, some flying ants may bite and sting their nose and limbs. You will find a similar reaction to the flying ant’s stinging bite on the dog.
But, there is rear evidence of a generalized or allergic reaction to the flying ant stinging bite. So, the flying ants bite is not a serious issue for a dog or other animals.
Small flying ant with a stinger
Except for the red imported flying fire ant, you will also find stinger in some other red ants. Let’s see the small flying ant with a stinger –
- #1. Red imported fire ants (flying female and male),
- #2. Pharaoh flying ants (female queen and male king),
- #3. Tawny crazy ants (flying female and male),
- #4. Acrobat flying ants, and
- #5. Big-headed flying ants,
You will find a details guide on the external features of the ants, as mentioned above, from another article on insect pets. The workers of these ants possess the stronger mandible and stinger on the gaster.
So, these worker ants have a habit of biting and stinging to protect themselves from any danger. But, the flying female and male ants of these species (smaller red ants) possess smaller and almost inactive stingers (except red imported fire ants).
The pharaoh flying ants are the smaller two-nodded ants that have a small sting on the bottom of their abdomen. Typically, the flying female of the pharaoh ants are calm and don’t bite or sting people or animals.
You may identify all these flying ants with some of their peculiar external features. All these ants – pharaoh, acrobat, and big-headed ants are the two nodded ants and possess comparatively smaller abdomens.
But, the flying acrobat ants possess a dark red color and heart-shaped abdomen, which is exceptional. Again, the big-headed ants possess a giant head and smaller abdomen.
On social media of insect pets, you will find pictures of all these smaller flying ants.
Frequently asked questions on flying ants with a stinger
Now, let’s see the frequently asked question on flying ants with a stinger. Here, I tried to enlist the most commonly asked questions on the flying ants with stings (female, queen, and male).
You will find the concise answer to these questions (flying ants stings) that ant keepers or lovers commonly ask –
Do flying ants have a stinger?
Yes, almost all the flying ants have a stinger on the bottom of their abdomen or gaster. And you know, this stinger is the hair-like structure in the ants used for defense.
Typically, the stinger of these ants (except the harvester and fire ants) is not as dangerous as bees or wasps.
What kind of ant has wings and a stinger?
Typically, the female queens and male kings of all the ant species possess 2 pairs of wings on their thorax. Again, these ants also possess a stinger on the tip of the abdomen.
But flying ants like harvesters, fire, bullets, and carpenters also possess stingers in the end part of their abdomen.
What looks like a flying ant but stings?
A termite is another pest or insect that looks like a flying ant, but they don’t possess stings. Rather than sting, the termite has ovipositors which they use for egg-laying purposes.
The structure of the termite’s ovipositor is somewhat different than these of the ant’s stinger.
Suggested article for you from insect pet (related to ants) –
- What do ant eggs look like – details facts of ants egg (structure and other different points),
You will find more articles on different types of ants here on insect pets. If you love to keep ants or want to know this smallest friend, these articles might be helpful for you.
What is a big red flying ant with a stinger?
The acrobat and red imported fire ants are the big red flying ants that have the stinger. But, you may also find the stinger in some other red or yellowish-red ants like – pharaoh, big-headed, and also in the winter (small honey) ants.
Conclusion
I hope you got the basic idea of a flying ant with a stinger. Here, the harvester and red imported fire flying ants are typical ants with an active stinger.
These flying ants with stingers will not typically bite or sting people or animals. But, these flying ants use their sting to protect themselves from unfavorable environments.
