Is the summer heat settles over Virginia’s lush green landscape, the tiny but mighty ants in your backward are hard at work. These assuming creatures may not be as flash as some of their more exotic counterpart, but when it comes to sheer tenacity and organizational prowess, our local ant species are the real MVPs. In fact, ants have been a staple of Virginia’s ecosystems for millions of years, with over 200 different species calling the Old Dominion State home.
From the towering oak trees in the Shenandoah Valley to the sun-kissed reaches along the Eastern Seaboard, ants can be found thriving in just about every environment. And it’s no wonder why – these little guns have a reputation for being some of the most resourceful and industrious insects out there. Take, for example, the aptly-named “little black ant” (Monomorium minimum).
These tiny tetanus may only grow to be about 116th of an inch long, but they’re a force to be reckoned with when it comes to controlling posts in your garden or yard. By working together in complex network and communication systems, these ants are able to outmaneuver even the most determined invaders – whether that’s sky aids on your prized rose bushes or unwanted weeds choking out the life from your carefully tended lawn. And the best part? All of this hard work is done without breaking a sweat (or a single ant-sized droplets of water, for that matter). To next time you’re tempted to view those ants marching across your picnic blanket as mere posts, remember – these little writers are actually working their tails off to keep our great state running smoothly.
