Fact sheet on Argentine Ants
Scientific Name: Linepithima humile
Appearance:
• This species of workers are about 1.6mm long on average.
• They are known to be light or dark brown.
• You will not see them swarm as in other species.
• And most importantly they are not aggressive and do not sting humans.
Information on Lifecycle:
• Worker ants are seen to be produced in the Spring-time in Australia, and will increase their population until around Autumn.
• Winged ants, (reproductive Kings and Queens), they mature within just 3 months and start reproducing right after.
• It is rare to see swarming since the Argentine ants mate in their nest.
Habits
• Argentine ants drive out other ant species from an area.
• Nests are not easy to track because these ants can travel a long way to look for food.
• They prefer sweet foods but will also eat live and dead insects, meats, cereals and damaged fruit.
ARGENTINE ANT
Linepithema humile(Mayr)
[Hymenoptera: Formicidae]
Article by Bruce Gow
Adult: Worker argentine ants are 2.2-2.8 mm long. The body is elongate and pale brown on head, thorax, antennae and legs, and dark brown on the gaster (abdomen).
Head: The head is large and rounded with large mandibles at the apex. Antennae are long (longer than the head and prothorax), elbowed (geniculate) with an apical club. Eyes are small (less than half the size of the head).
Thorax: The thorax is without spines. All legs are similar in shape. Wings are absent in worker castes.
Abdomen: Cerci are absent.
Reproduction & Life-cycle:
In the life cycle of the Argentine ant, the initial female reproductive caste (known as the Queen) begins with wings, which are later shed after mating. Queens lay numerous eggs within their nests.
It’s common for multiple queens to coexist within a single colony, with the assumption that they mate within the nest since no nuptial flights have ever been documented.
Males are continuously produced throughout the year and can be captured around light sources.
Fertilized eggs develop into females, typically assuming the worker caste, while unfertilized eggs become males.
Males, winged themselves, mate once and then meet their demise. The soldier and worker castes exclusively consist of females.
The eggs are typically white, oval, and approximately 1 mm in length. Eggs, along with their subsequent larval and pupal stages, are maintained within cells in the nest.
Initially, the queen takes on the responsibility of feeding the larvae, but as the colony matures, the workers gradually assume this role.
The average lifespan of an adult Argentine ant is one year.
Distribution:
Argentine ants are a prevalent urban pest found in numerous regions across Europe, the United States, South Africa, and Australia. However, the species is originally native to South America.
Pest Status:
The Argentine ant holds the dubious title of being the most significant ant pest on a global scale. Their workers exhibit aggressive behavior, efficiently foraging along pheromone trails both day and night.
These colonies are opportunistic and create extensive nests within various environments, including soil, wood, buildings, and beneath stones.
Argentine ants have a detrimental impact on local ant species, have the potential to harm native birds, and can become invasive pests in households, often foraging throughout the entire house.
Worker ants possess a diverse diet, which includes predation, a carnivorous inclination, and granivorous habits, but they particularly favor honeydew.
Additionally, they exhibit a unique behavior of tending to and protecting aphids and scale insects.
“We’re a bit more persistent than ants and would be happy to get rid of them for you, our team prides itself in excellence and we aren’t going to surprise you with hidden costs or inaccurate quotes.” – Bruce Gow (A1 Pest Control owner and certified Pest Controller)
You can contact A1 Pest Control on 0417 251 911, or alternatively you can use our website messenger and we’ll get back to you.
ARGENTINE ANT
Linepithema humile(Mayr)
[Hymenoptera: Formicidae]
Adult: Worker argentine ants are about 2.2 to 2.8 mm in length. Their body is long and palish brown colour on their heads, thorax, antennae & legs, and they have a dark brown abdomen.
Head: Their heads are large and slightly rounded with fierce large mandibles at their apex.
Antennae of these species of ants are longer than the head and their prothorax, being elbowed with a type of apical club.
Eyes of these ants are small (only about half the size of their heads).
Thorax: Their thorax are without any spines. All of their legs are the same shape. Wings are entirely absent in the worker castes.
Abdomen: Their cerci are absent.
Reproduction & Life-cycle:
The female reproductive caste (Queen) is initially winged, but wings are lost once mated. Queens lay hundreds of eggs within the nest.
Several queens may be present in one colony and are presumed to mate within the nest as no nuptial flights have been recorded.
Males are produced throughout the year and can be trapped at lights.
Fertilised eggs become females, usually worker caste. Eggs not fertilised become males.
Males are winged, mate once and die. Soldier and worker castes are female only.
Eggs are white, oval and to 1 mm long. Eggs, larvae and pupae remain in the nest in cells.
The queen initially feeds larvae, but workers take over the task as the colony matures.
The life span of an adult argentine ant is 1 year.
Distribution:
Argentine ants are a widespread urban pest in many parts of Europe, USA, South Africa and Australia. The species is endemic to South America.
Pest Status:
Argentine ant is the world’s most significant ant pest. Workers are aggressive and slow but efficient foragers along pheromone trails during the day and night.
Colonies are opportunistic and form large nests in soil, wood, houses and under stones.
Argentine ant displaces native ants, can kill native birds and is invasive to homes where it will forage throughout the house.
Workers are predacious, carnivorous and granivorous, but prefer honeydew and tend or protect aphids and scale insects.
“We’re a bit more persistent than ants and would be happy to get rid of them for you.
Our team prides itself in excellence and we aren’t going to surprise you with hidden costs or inaccurate quotes.” – Bruce Gow (A1 Pest Control owner and certified Pest Controller)
You can contact A1 Pest Control on 0417 251 911, or alternatively you can use our website messenger and we’ll get back to you.
