Funnel Ant
Scientific Name:
Aphaenogaster pythia
How to identify funnel ants:
Funnel ants are tan-brown in colour and have two backward pointing spines in the middle of their backs. Worker funnel ants are usually honey-coloured and are about 5mm long. They can often be found by digging into the mounds, but can be hard to find during the day and do not bite. Funnel ants in their sexual stages are darker coloured and have wings. Male funnel ants reach 5.5 mm long while female funnel ants reach 11 mm long.
Damage Caused by Funnel Ant
Funnel ant are a serious pest in turf due to the mounds of loose pellets of dirt they excavate to the soil surface. Mounds caused by funnel ants are up to 25 cm wide and 20 cm high with cone shaped sides and a funnel-shaped opening at the top. Damage is worst in areas with light soils and loose sandy subsoil.
