Species Insects & ArthropodsAcorn Ant

Acorn Ant

Temnothorax curvispinosus

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Acorn Ant (Temnothorax curvispinosus)

The Acorn Ant is a tiny ant that nests inside hollow acorns, nutshells, and small wood cavities in forests. Entire colonies with queen and brood fit inside a single acorn cap. It is a model organism in studies of collective decision-making — when a nest is destroyed, scouts evaluate potential new sites and lead the colony to the best option through a quorum-based process.

Habitat
Deciduous forests and woodland edges with leaf litter
Diet
Adults: seeds, honeydew, and small invertebrates
How common
Common

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