# Hormiga ladrona

*Solenopsis molesta*

**Confianza en la identificación:** Requiere un experto — Separating thief ants from pharaoh ants needs magnification; the antennal club segment count is the deciding feature.

## Cómo reconocerla

- Among the smallest household ants at under 2 mm, pale yellow to light brown.
- The antennal club has two segments, against three in the similar-looking pharaoh ant — this requires a hand lens or microscope and is the reliable separator.
- Two nodes on the waist and very small eyes.

## Qué rastros deja

- Trails to greasy and protein-rich foods rather than to sweets.
- Nests in wall voids, in soil, and often adjacent to other ant colonies whose brood they raid.

## Por qué persiste una infestación

Named for nesting close to other ant colonies and stealing their brood and food. Their extremely small size lets them enter sealed packaging.


## Dónde se encuentra

Widespread across the United States.

## Qué la previene

- Store protein and grease-rich foods in rigid sealed containers rather than in original packaging.
- Clean grease residue from ranges, extractor filters, and cabinet surfaces.

## Se confunde con

- **Hormiga faraón** (*Monomorium pharaonis*) — Very small at under 2 mm and pale yellow to light golden brown, often with a darker abdomen tip, appearing almost translucent against a white surface.
- **Hormiga negra pequeña** (*Monomorium minimum*) — Extremely small at 1.5 to 2 mm, noticeably smaller than pavement or odorous house ants seen alongside them.

**Verdict:** monitor-and-assess. Correct identification against pharaoh ant decides the approach, and that determination needs magnification first.

Source: https://againstpest.shop/es/identificar/hormigas/hormiga-ladrona/