Bug FAQAmerican Winter Ant
Prenolepis imparis · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Formicidae
Also called: False Honey Ant, False Honeypot Ant, Small Honey Ant, Winter Ant
The winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) is a North American species that lives deep underground. It is active in cold weather, especially winter and early spring, and spends the summer in a dormant state.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It nests deep in the ground across North America from Canada to Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
During summer the ant enters a hibernation-like state called aestivation.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The species prefers low temperatures and is only seen outside in winter and early spring.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range includes the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 44 of 51 states and DC. Most records: California, New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in United States; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are winter ants active?
They are active outdoors during winter and early spring, avoiding the warm summer months.
Source: Wikipedia
Where do winter ants live?
They nest deep underground throughout North America, from Canada down to Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Formicidae)
Eastern Black Carpenter AntCamponotus pennsylvanicusCan damage your home
Red Imported Fire AntSolenopsis invictaCan sting
Argentine AntLinepithema humileNuisance, not dangerous
Immigrant Pavement AntTetramorium immigransCan sting
Odorous House AntTapinoma sessileCan damage your home
Red Harvester AntPogonomyrmex barbatusVenomousSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prenolepis_imparis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.