There are two ant species in Kuwait; the small, yellowish house ants (Monomorium pharonis) and the large, black ants (Catyglyphis), known locally as "abou". There are several apiaries in Kuwait where honey is produced. Bees acquire nectar from caphor in the spring, siddr in the summer, and acacia in the winter.

There are two kinds of termites, or "arda" (lsoptera), present in Kuwait: the small house termite (Psammotermes hybostoma) and the desert termite ( Anacanthotermes vagans ). Termites are social insects like ants and bees. Their community consists of a king, a queen, workers and soldiers. The workers build the nest and the tunnels from soil and saliva to avoid heat and light.

Butterflies vary with the time of year. During the winter, southern European species predominate, while in the summer, Indian and other Asian varieties move in. The most common variety is the painted lady (Vanessa cardui), which is a regular migrant to Kuwait and is more abundant during the cooler months of the year (March and September). This butterfly is a strong flier and, even if settled on the ground, is difficult to approach. The adult is orange in color with black and white markings. Larvae are dark brown with short hairs, and feed on many different kinds of vegetation. The pupa is initially green, later changing to a golden color. It hangs from the twigs of the host plant.

Another butterfly which is common in Kuwait is the swallowtail (Papilio demoleus). This bluish butterfly has white markings and blue-white-red spots on the hind wing. It is found on citrus trees that the green larvae feed on. Their green pupae hang from the lower surfaces of leaves. This butterfly has a wide distribution from the Gulf eastward to China and southward to Australia.

BIRDS

Migratory

Passage migrants. During fall in the Palearctic region, many millions of birds migrate from their breeding grounds in Europe and Asia to Africa, Pakistan and Indo-Malaysia. The majority of birds tend to fly at relatively high altitudes.

Many species probably make uninterrupted flights across Arabia. However, unfavorable winds and poor weather conditions sometimes delay birds which then stop and rest for a day or two before continuing. Some migrants, especially birds of prey, rely mainly on soaring and gliding in thermals (rising currents of warm air). On occasion, up to 500 large raptors have been observed above Jal Az-Zor. In fall, the birds head for Hafr Al-Batin in Saudi Arabia. All observations along the Kuwait side of Wadi Al-Batin indicate that the larger birds of prey fly to the southern end of Wadi Al-Batin on their route to the Bab Al-Mendab crossing into Africa.

Other species also clearly illustrate the migratory movement through Kuwait. In springtime, for example, it is possible to drive due north from Al-Jahra to Al-Abdeli and become part of a continuous movement of hirundines such as Swallow and Sand Martin travelling northward parallel to the road. At Messilah it is possible to watch thousands of Yellow Wagtails arriving at dusk from due south and dropping in to roost in the scattered vegetation along the coastal strip.

Winter visitors. During the northern winter months some species move south ward to spend the entire winter in Kuwait's relatively mild climate. The most abundant of the wintering birds are those of the marine and coastal habitats, including grebes, herons, ducks, raptors, rails, waders, gulls and terns. However, owls, bee-eaters, larks, pipits, chats, thrushes, warblers, starlings and buntings are also to be found during winter.