| DESCRIPTION |
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California has more than 200 ant species.
Ants are among the oldest insects. Before the dinosaurs came about they had
already mastered forms of agriculture. They are easily recognizable by their
characteristic narrow waist (metasoma). The metasoma has either one or two
nodelike projections
(pedicels).
The number of pedicels is important in identification. Antennae of workers
are elbowed (geniculate) with a long basal segment (scape). Workers are always
wingless (apterous) and narrow waisted. Reproductives usually bear wings
which are lost after the nuptial flight. Ground dwelling species (e.g.,
Camponotus) typically
have a metapleural gland.