Hobbies And Interests
Sting
In zoology, a sting is an external organ found in some animals that is used to attack prey and defend against adversaries. Stings are needle-like extensions that pierce through skin and can inject poison or venom. While some non-insects such as jellyfish and scorpions possess stings, they are commonly located at the end of the abdomen of wasps, bees and some ants. Examples of small Floridian insects that sting include little fire ants, small carpenter bees and elongate twig ants.
Little Fire Ant
Little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata or Tetramorium auropunctata) were a menace in Florida prior to the invention of chemical pesticides such as chlorinated hydrocarbons and carbamates. Since then, their occurrence has declined to manageable populations in 22 counties, as of 2000. They are known to infest citrus groves and homes. In nature, little fire ants consume fruit, arthropods and other insects. In homes, they are partial to peanut butter, fats and other oily food substances. Distributed worldwide in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates, little fire ants were originally discovered during the 1800s in Cuba. They grow to 0.06 inches in length and are golden brown or reddish in color.
Small Carpenter Bee
Though listed in varied classifications, most authorities categorize small carpenter bees as members of the family Apidae, subfamily Xylocopinae, genus Ceratina. As of 2011, the only two species known to occur in Florida are Ceratina dupla and Ceratina cockerelli. Growing to 0.3 inches in length, Floridian small carpenter bees are blue, black or teal-like in color with white or yellow markings. Though all carpenter bees generally feed off of wood, small carpenter bees are not known to pose economic threats.
Elongate Twig Ant
Elongate twig ant (Pseudomyrmex gracilis), also called Mexican twig ant, was discovered in Florida during the 1960s in Dade County. These neotropical ants vary in color depending on their geographical location, have a wasp-like appearance and grow to 0.4 inches in length. Elongate twig ants consume other insects, aphids, honeydew and fungus spores. They are known for their painful sting and have an association with plants, though they have not been linked to serious economic damage.