Weaver ants Asian weaver ants, or green tree ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), binding leaves together with larval silk in Australia. (more) weaver ant insect Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/weaver-ant Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Oecophylla Written by Karen Sottosanti Karen Sottosanti is a writer and editor who works in educational publishing. Karen Sottosanti Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Jan 14, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the two species of weaver ants and where are they found? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The African weaver ant (Oecophylla longinoda) is found in tropical areas of Africa, while the Asian weaver ant (O. smaragdina) is found in southeastern Asia, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How do weaver ants construct their nests? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Weaver ants build nests in trees by using living leaves. They curl the leaves and glue them together with silk produced by their larvae, forming waterproof shelters for the colony." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the main foods of weaver ants? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Weaver ants primarily eat other insects and honeydew, a sweet liquid waste from invertebrates such as mealybugs. The ants guard mealybugs to maintain a honeydew supply, and they hunt various insects, using their sharp mandibles and good eyesight." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How are weaver ants used in sustainable agriculture? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Weaver ants are used as a biological control agent to manage pests that damage tropical tree crops, such as cashew, mango, and cacao. This method is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than using synthetic pesticides." } } ] } Top Questions What are the two species of weaver ants and where are they found? The African weaver ant (Oecophylla longinoda) is found in tropical areas of Africa, while the Asian weaver ant (O. smaragdina) is found in southeastern Asia, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

　　How do weaver ants construct their nests? Weaver ants build nests in trees by using living leaves. They curl the leaves and glue them together with silk produced by their larvae, forming waterproof shelters for the colony.

　　What are the main foods of weaver ants? Weaver ants primarily eat other insects and honeydew, a sweet liquid waste from invertebrates such as mealybugs. The ants guard mealybugs to maintain a honeydew supply, and they hunt various insects, using their sharp mandibles and good eyesight.

　　How are weaver ants used in sustainable agriculture? Weaver ants are used as a biological control agent to manage pests that damage tropical tree crops, such as cashew, mango, and cacao. This method is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than using synthetic pesticides.

　　weaver ant, (genus Oecophylla), genus of two species of arboreal ants easily recognized by their intricate nests of woven leaves and hailed as one of the pinnacles of ant social evolution. The African weaver ant (Oecophylla longinoda) is found in tropical forested areas of Africa, and the range of the Asian weaver ant (O. smaragdina) includes southeastern Asia, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Weaver ants are used as a biological control agent against insects that damage tropical tree crops, and the ants and their larvae are a popular food in parts of Southeast Asia. The ants ...(100 of 1127 words)

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