Different types of ant insects
Ants are found all over the world and there are currently 11,880 recognized species of ant insects (2006). All the different types of ant insects belong to the extremely diverse family Formicidae. The various types of ant insects display highly heterogenic behaviours and they also vary a lot when it comes to size and colour. Many types of ant insects create long lasting homes while others are highly migratory and embark on long journeys. Some types of ant insects are no larger than 2 millimetres while others grow up to 25 millimetres in length. Most types of ant insects are red or black, but you can also find other interesting colours and shades, such as the metallic looking ants found in certain tropical regions of the world.

Distribution of ant insect types
The broadest selection of different types of ant insects is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, in Asia and in the Neotropics. South of Sahara, the African continent is filled with 2,500 different ant species. The Neotropics comprises South and Central America, as well as the West Indies and the entire Mexican nation. This region is currently inhabited by 2,162 species of ants. Temperate and tropical Asian is home to 2,080 species of ants, and nearby Melanesia is inhabited by 275 different ant species. The number of different types of ant insects found in Australia is also impressive: the continent is home to 985 described species of ant. Polynesia is also very rich in different types of ant insects when you consider its small size and has 42 native ant species. The Nearctic, a region that comprises the entire North American continent except for the state of Mexico, there are 580 known species of ants. Europe also has a comparatively narrow selection of ant insect types and is home to no more than 180 recognized species of ants.

Characteristics shared by all types of ant insects
Even though the various types of ant insects display a high grade of variation, there are some characteristics that are shared by all types of ant insects. The second abdominal segment is strongly constricted in all known types of ant insect and creates a characteristic node-shaped petiole. Other examples of traits found in all types of ant insects are the elbowed antennae and the absence of lungs and heart. The body of an ant is protected by an exoskeleton through which air can pass via small pores. These spores are known as spiracles and they will let in oxygen rich air and let out carbon dioxide. The blood found in all types of ant insects is colourless and known as hemolymph rather than blood. Hemolymph functions as both blood and interstitial fluid in ants. Hemolymph runs from the head of the ant to its rear in a long tube and then back again. The nervous system of all the known types of ant insects features a continuous cord (somewhat similar to the spinal cord of a mammal) called the ventral nerve cord. This nerve cord runs from the head of the ant and has branches stretching into each limb.

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