Small workers, generally around 2.5–4 millimetres.
Fine-art photographic collection
Tetramorium caespitum
A familiar ground ant whose name sits inside a difficult species complex.
About this species
Pavement ant
Tetramorium caespitum(Linnaeus, 1758)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Tetramorium caespitum is the traditional name for a widespread Palearctic pavement-ant lineage. Modern taxonomy has separated several very similar species, so older records and casual identifications should be interpreted cautiously.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Myrmicinae · Crematogastrini · Tetramorium
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Palearctic regionBroad traditional records; the Tetramorium caespitum complex requires careful modern identification.
Palearctic region under the traditional broad concept; introduced pavement ants elsewhere may belong to related species.
Open soil, grassland, paths, pavements, gardens and disturbed urban ground.
Workers forage on the surface and recruit strongly to food.
Omnivorous: seeds, carrion, small arthropods and human food.
Soil nests beneath stones, paths and hard surfaces, often with numerous workers.
What makes this species remarkable?
The caespitum complex contains several species that are difficult to separate morphologically.
Neighbouring colonies may conduct conspicuous mass battles.
Urban hard surfaces provide warm, protected nest cover.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
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