Native
Ants
Basic guide to identifying
exotic invasive ants
Exotic
Ants
Invasive ants are environmental and social amenity pests with the potential to cause significant negative impacts on Australia’s unique biodiversity and to human health.
Many invasive ant species form large ‘super colonies’ with multiple queens. Super colonies allow invasive ants to spread rapidly and are difficult to control due to their extensive range.
Invasive ants can transform ecosystems, deplete insect life from an area and even kill small animals. They displace native ants, affect plant life directly and indirectly by farming plant pests that produce honeydew e.g. mealybugs, scales and aphids.
Economically, invasive ants can:
• compromise eco-tourism and recreation
• reduce crop yields
• harm and lead to the death of animals
The economic costs associated with control programs are substantial. In 2017 Australia committed $411.4 million for a
10 year eradication program to rid Australia of red imported fire ants.
Why is recognising invasive ants important?
Native ants found in Australia
Native household ants
Native household ants
Native ants found in Australia
Australian native ants play an important role in the ecosystem. Some native ants act as a natural pest control while others play a significant role in helping native plants germinate their seeds.
Most native ant species have learnt to co-exist with humans, only showing aggression if their nest is threatened.
Green tree ant or weaver ant
(Oecophylla smaragdina)
• 5-10mm long
• Nests in foliage of leaves
• Found in northern Australia
• Defend nest by swarming and squirting burning fluid from abdomen
Cocktail ant
(Crematogaster sp.)
• 2-4mm long
• Nests above ground
• Found across Australia
• Abdomen is raised when alarmed
• Known for heart shaped abdomen
Muscleman tree ant
(Podomyrma sp.)
• 10-12mm long
• Nest in solid dead wood gaps and holes
• Found throughout mainland Australia
• Known for swollen-looking legs
Green headed ant
(Rhytidoponera metallica)
• 5-7mm long
• Nests in woodlands,
heath or urban areas
• Found across Australia
• Can give a painful sting
• Often seen foraging soon after a bushfire
Bull ant
(Myrmecia spp.)
• 8-40mm in length
• Nests in urban areas, woodlands or heath
• Found throughout Australia
• Highly aggressive and can sting if aggravated
Black house ant
(Ochetellus glaber)
• 2-3mm long
• Nests naturally in trees, can be found in houses
• Found across Australia
• Rarely cause direct damage but can be a nuisance
Meat ant
(Iridomyrmex purpureus)
• Average 10mm long
• Nests in clear sunny spots
• Found commonly in country areas
• Can bite as a territorial defence
Sugar ant
(Camponotus spp.)
• Range from 2.5 -18mm
• Nests generally in soil or decaying logs
• Found throughout Australia
• Yellow thorax and legs, black head and abdomen
• Some species are harmless
Go to exotic
ants
Tropical fire ant
Browsing ant
Electric ant
Yellow crazy ant
Red imported fire ant
Browsing ant
Electric ant
Tropical fire ant
Yellow crazy ant
Red imported fire ant
Browsing ant
Electric ant
Tropical fire ant
Yellow crazy ant
Red imported fire ant
Browsing ant (Lepisiota frauenfeldi) are under an eradication program in Northern Territory and Western Australia. Browsing ants are not known to occur anywhere else in Australia.
Electric ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) are under an eradication program in Far North Queensland. Electric ants are not know to occur anywhere else in Australia.
Tropical fire ants (Solenopsis geminata) are known to occur throughout Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland.
Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are under an eradication program in Queensland. Control measures are in place between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Red imported fire ants are not known to occur anywhere else in Australia.
Go to native
ants
Yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) are known to occur on Christmas Island and throughout Queensland.
Description
• Very small ants, 1-2 mm long
• Light to golden brown in colour
• Waist section has two segments
• Antennae clubbed at the tips
Nest
• Don’t construct full nests
• Prefer to use existing shelters in their surroundings
• Found in leaf litter, rotten wood, stones, tree forks or clumps of grass
• Also found in potted plants, wall cavities, bedding and swimming pools
Behaviour
• Known to attack and sting the eyes of reptiles and domestic pets, often blinding them.
• Stings to humans result in skin irritations, pimples, rashes and itching for three to four days.
• Care for honeydew producing insects such as mealy bugs, scales and aphids.
Description
• 3–4 mm long
• Shiny dark brown in colour
• Waist section has one, thin segment
• Yellow-brown to red-brown colouring at the base of antennae and ends of legs
Behaviour
Super colonies will eat and displace native ants and other invertebrate species.
Care for honeydew-producing insects such as mealy bugs, scales and aphids.
When disturbed ants will run about in a crazy manner.
Nest
• Browsing ants form super colonies with multiple queens in a nest
• Noticeable on the ground in leaf litter as well as in trees or infrastructure such as electrical boxes
• Australian climate is ideally suited to these pests
Description
• 3–5 mm long
• Orange-brown in colour with a brown head
• Colonies have minor and major workers that vary in size
• Major workers have a deep groove in the centre of the head
• Waist section has one thin and one round segment
• Mandibles are black
Behaviour
The tropical fire ants are primarily omnivores.
Aggression begins when a nest is disturbed, hundreds of worker ants emerge to bite and sting aggressively and repeatedly.
The sting site forms a white fluid-filled blister and can progress into infection.
Nest
• Mounds can have multiple entrance holes
• Known to frequently move nests
• Can be up to 30 cm high
• Common in open, sunny areas
• 20m long trails can be found leaving the nest
Description
• 2–6 mm long
• Dark reddish-brown in colour
• Darker brown-black abdomen
• Waist section has two segments
Behaviour
Very aggressive ants. When a nest is disturbed, hundreds of worker ants emerge to bite and sting aggressively and repeatedly.
The sting site forms a white fluid-filled blister and can progress into infection.
Nest
• Mound with no obvious entrance holes
• Can be up to 40 cm high
• Common in sunny open areas such as lawns, school yards, parks, roadsides and golf courses
• Occasionally found in rotten logs, along pavers and building walls
Description
• 4–5 mm long
• Yellow-brown in colour
• Abdomen darker than the rest of the body
• Distinctive long legs and antennae
• Appearance of a long ‘neck’ section
Behaviour
Named ‘crazy ant’ for their erratic walking style and frantic movements when disturbed.
Care for honeydew producing insects (eg. mealy bugs, scales and aphids).
Have no sting but spray formic acid when disturbed. Spray can cause burns and irritation when it comes in contact with skin or eyes.
Nest
• Prefer areas with access to moisture
• Creek banks, rock walls, car ports, piles of timber, debris or leaf litter
• Will use burrows established by other species
• Nests can contain hundreds of queens
Report any suspicious sighting immediately by visiting
the online form (click here) or calling 1800 084 881
Image courtesy of Alex Wild
Image courtesy of Alex Wild
Image courtesy of Alex Wild
Image courtesy of Alex Wild
Image courtesy of Alex Wild
Image courtesy of Alex Wild
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