India hosts over 800 documented ant species, yet public awareness remains limited to broad generalizations such as “black ants” and “red ants.” This review synthesizes existing data on the most commonly observed ant taxa in India, including native generalists and invasive species, with an emphasis on their ecological roles, behaviours, and relevance to public health and household infestations. Historical and pre literature is reviewed to contextualize species prevalence and adaptive strategies in urban and rural ecosystems.
