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last updated 23.Nov.2007


Invasive & Tramp Ants

The industrial age brought regular human commerce to all corners of the globe.  A number of ant species have thrived by stowing away in our cargo and establishing new populations wherever opportunity offers.  These are the rats of the ant world, benefiting from human activities and multiplying in our wake. 

Species regarded as "invasive" have drastic effects on the habitats where they are introduced, displacing native species and altering the structure and function of the ecosystem.  Among the worst of these invaders are the Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta, the Argentine Ant Linepithema humile, and the Little Fire Ant Wasmannia auropunctata. Species regarded as "tramps" are less disruptive to native ecosystems, although they can become abundant, often in cities and other areas altered by human activities. 


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Argentine Ant - Linepithema humile
Native: Subtropical South America
Introduced: Worldwide, especially in Mediterranean climates

Linepithema humile

Linepithema humile and Pogonomyrmex

Linepithema humile and Pogonomyrmex

Linepithema humile

Linepithema humile

Linepithema humile

Linepithema humile

Linepithema humile

Fire Ant - Solenopsis invicta
Native: South America
Introduced: North America, Australia, China

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta & Linepithema humile

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta

Little Fire Ant - Wasmannia auropunctata
Native: Central and South America
Introduced: Tropical regions worldwide

Wasmannia auropunctata

Wasmannia auropunctata

Wasmannia auropunctata

Wasmannia auropunctata

Pavement Ant - Tetramorium caespitum group species
Native: Eurasia
Introduced: Temperate North and South America

Tetramorium sp. nr. caespitum

Tetramorium sp. nr. caespitum

Tetramorium sp. nr. caespitum

Tetramorium sp. nr. caespitum

European Fire Ant - Myrmica rubra
Native: Europe
Introduced: Eastern North America

Myrmica rubra

Myrmica rubra

White-Footed Ant - Technomyrmex albipes group species
Native: Unknown, Old-World tropics
Introduced: Tropical regions worldwide

Technomyrmex difficilis

Technomyrmex difficilis

Black Crazy Ant - Paratrechina longicornis
Native: Unknown, Old World
Introduced: warmer regions worldwide

Paratrechina longicornis

Paratrechina longicornis

Paratrechina longicornis

Paratrechina longicornis

Pharaoh's Ant - Monomorium pharaonis
Native: Unknown, Old World
Introduced: Worldwide

Monomorium pharaonis

Monomorium pharaonis

Monomorium pharaonis

Miscellaneous Tramp Ant Species

Monomorium floricola

Monomorium floricola

Paratrechina vividula

Cardiocondyla mauritanica

Cyphomyrmex rimosus

Pyramica membranifera

Pyramica membranifera

Brachymyrmex
patagonicus

Brachymyrmex
patagonicus

Tetramorium lanuginosum

Tetramorium validiusculum

Hypoponera opacior

Pseudomyrmex gracilis

Paratrechina fulva


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