Formicoidea

insect superfamily

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Formicoidea is a superfamily of insects that includes all ants. Ants are social insects, meaning they live in organized colonies with distinct roles for each member, such as queens, workers, and soldiers. They are found worldwide, with the greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions.123

Ants play crucial roles in their ecosystems, with some species acting as keystone species that significantly impact their environment. Their diets vary widely, with some being opportunistic omnivores, while others are more specialized as predators, herbivores, or even fungus farmers. Ants are part of the order Hymenoptera, which also includes bees and wasps.4256

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

9 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Hymenoptera
Annotated classification
Superfamily Formicoidea All species are social. Generally only reproductive caste has wings. Females with a well-developed sting. Family Formicidae (ants) A large familiar group; worldwide distribution, but most common in tropics and subtropics; more than 10,000 species known; all social in habit; a few parasitic; some…
Read More
Superfamily Formicoidea All species are social. Generally only reproductive caste has wings. Females with a well-developed sting. Family Formicidae (ants) A large familiar group; worldwide distribution, but most common in tropics and subtropics; more than 10,000 species known; all social in habit; a few parasitic; some…
Read More