To many people a good ant is a dead ant. We do have our share of pest ants in Florida – not to mention fire ants! But, just like many things in life, there are exceptions and there is a good ant to praise. This ant is the pyramid ant. You have certainly seen its nest – looking like a miniature volcanic cone – all neat and tidy! The pyramid ant is not generally considered a pest ant, and it brings benefits that make you even fonder of this minute insect.
Most ants are pests by degrees – more of a perceived nuisance than anything more often depending on your opinion and exposure. An entomologist friend of mine used to conduct talks on ants for us and in his presentation were some interesting facts. He would share that by weight, the world ant population equals world human population, that at least ten-trillion ants inhabit our world, and – most curious of all – that ants are oblivious to us and have no sense of our existence. I am pretty sure that fire ants know we are here – at least me!
The name “pyramid ant” actually has nothing to do with the shape of its conical nest, but instead a small pyramidal-shaped projection on its midsection or thorax. It would probably not take long for you to find a pyramid ant nest in your yard. Native from Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas, pyramid ant colonies are relatively small featuring the classic volcano-shaped cone nest up to five inches across topped with a flat to concave crater and one pencil width entry hole – there is no other nest like it around. You can find these yellowish four-millimeter-long ants almost anywhere including roadsides, fields, and lawns – especially where the sandy soil has been disturbed. Smell can also be a clue – crushed workers give off the odor of spoiled coconut.
So, what is so great about the pyramid ant? Pyramid ants do not sting and are generally unassuming. They are very fast and hard to tract, as they race in and out of their nest. While they are fond of “honeydew” – a sweet waste product excreted by aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and some scale insects – they also have a taste for fire ants. It is reported that pyramid ants feed on the brood in newly formed nests of fire ant queens and attack newly mated fire ant queens. The remains of their fire ant victims can sometimes be found at edges of their nests.
Pyramid ants – even in small way – are helping cut back on some of the fire ant issues we suffer from time to time as Florida residents. Accordingly, to know what pyramid ants look like and preserve them in your yard is a helpful step in suppressing fire ants. There are in fact some good ants – pyramid ants – plan to protect them today! For more information on all types of ants in our area, or to ask a question, please visit https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteCountyExtension. You can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
Boles, B. (2016) Beneficial Pyramid Ants. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Escambia County.
Pyramid Ants, Dormered burden. Urban and Structural Entomology Program at Texas A&M University
Davis, T. S. (2024) Pyramid Ants Dorymyrmex bureni Dorymrymex medeis . Pyramid Ants Dorymyrmex Bureni Dorymrymex Medeis Contributor: Timothy S – DocsLib.
AntWiki (2026) Dorymyrmex bureni. https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Dorymyrmex_bureni.
Wkikipedia (2026) Dorymyrmex bureni. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorymyrmex_bureni.
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