Cockroaches

COMMON NAME:                  Argentine ants

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME:                Linepithema humile (Mayr) [formerly lridomyrmex                                                     

 

CLASS/ORDER/FAMILY:         Insecta / Hymenoptera / Formicidae

 

METAMORPHOSIS:                Complete

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This species is native to Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay; to name a few countries. 

 

RECOGNITION

 

• Workers mono-morphic, about (2.2-2.86 mm) long; queens about (4-6 mm), winged males about (2.8 - 3.0 mm) in length.

• Body varies from light to dark brown. Antenna 12 segmented, without a club.

• Thorax lacks spines, profile unevenly rounded. Pedicel 1-segmented.

• Gaster with anal opening slit-like, lacking circlet of hairs.

• Stinger absent, but can bite on provocation.

• Workers emit a stale greasy or musty odour when crushed.

 

HABITS

 

• Inside, these ants usually nest near a moisture source such as water pipes, sinks, potted plants, etc.

• The workers follow regular trails when foraging, and winged queens can sometimes be found among trailing workers.

• The preferred staple foods are sucrose-containing sweets such as honeydew, but they increase their intake of protein-containing foods such as prey during the spring and summer.

• Outside, Argentine ants typically live in shallow nests about 8' (20 cm) deep that are located in moist situations such as under boards
  and stones, beneath plants, alongside walks, etc.

• This ant prefers sweets such as honeydew, fruit juices, and plant secretions, but also steals seeds, attacks poultry chicks, disrupts bee hives, etc.

• In dry soil, nests can be as deep as 24" (60 cm). Although they usually nest near their food source, they will forage for
  almost 200 feet (60 m).

• This ant prefers sweets such as honeydew, fruit juices, and plant secretions, but also steals seeds, attacks poultry chicks, disrupts bee hives, etc. Their habit of crawling over everything including refuse, sewage, sputum, carrion, etc. affords them the opportunity to transport the causative disease organisms for dysentery, etc.

• Argentine ants invade buildings in large numbers when conditions outside are either too wet or too dry for them to live. Also, a decrease in their honeydew supply sends them indoors seeking sweets. 

 

CONTROL

 

• Be sure to pull back the grass from around foundation walls and the edges of concrete sidewalks and driveways because these ants will trail below the grass-line where they are not visible.

• Be sure to trim back all vegetation that is in contact with the structure.

• Inside, be sure to check any potted plants present because these are a favourite nesting site.