Important Pest Ants of Australia

IMPORTANT PEST ANTS OF AUSTRALIA

Argentine Ant Black House Ant Bulldog Ant (Bull Ant) Carpenter Ant (Linepithema humile) (Ochetellus glaber) (Myrmecia spp.) (Camponotus spp.)

Key Features Key Features Key Features Key Features › The Argentine ant is similar to some Iridomyrmex spp. in body › A small, intensely-black ant › One of the largest ants in Australia › Variable in colour – from black to dark brown to brownish orange shape and colour, but it has more teeth on the mandibles, a more › This ant has a prominent node (petiole) which is a distinguishing › Red/black in colour › Has a smooth, evenly rounded, thorax tear-drop shaped head (the widest point well above the eyes) the feature from the white-footed house ant › Very aggressive › Large in size eyes are placed relatively lower on the front of the head › This ant is slightly smaller and stockier than the white-footed › Very long straight mandibles › Distinct single node on pedicel (petiole) › It has 5-8 large teeth on the mandibles and 5 to 13 smaller denticles house ant › Large eyes › Mandibles have 5-8 teeth › Resembles the white-footed house ant but is light brown in colour Food preferences › Polymorphic (multiple worker size) › Lacks a strong smell when crushed Food preferences Sugary liquids (hence common habit of tending aphids and bugs Proteins (other insects primarily). Food preferences Food preferences on domestic plants). Size Sugary liquids (hence tendency to tend aphids and bugs Sugary liquids (hence common habit of tending aphids and bugs Size on plants). on domestic plants). 15 – 36 mm. Approximately 2.5 mm. Size Size Approximately 3 – 12 mm. Approximately 2.5 mm.

Coastal Brown Ant Ghost Ant Golden Tailed Spiny ant Green-Headed Ant (Pheidole megacephala) (Tapinoma melanocephalum) (Polyrachis ammon) (Rhytidoponera metallica)

Key Features Key Features Key Features Key Features › Golden brown to brown in colour › The small size is usually the key to identifying this ant. › These ants have a black body with a thick covering of ine › These ants have a dark, metallic colouration varying from a › Two raised nodes on pedicel (rear node more rounded) › This ant has 12-segmented antennae with the segments golden hairs on the mesosoma and gaster (more brilliant on the green-blue to a green-purple sheen › Polymorphic (major workers with large head) gradually thickening towards the tip gaster) › They have a very distinctive square shaped single node on › Sting present › Abdominal pedicel consists of one segment which is usually › A pair of strong horizontal spines are present on the propodeum pedicel (with distinct front, top and rear faces) hidden from view dorsally by the gaster and a pair of strong spines are present on the petiole › 12-segmented antennae with 3-segmented club Food preferences › Nodel (petiole) is absent › Spines visible on thorax Food preferences Primarily proteins and oils. Oil based granular baits work very well › Gaster has four segments on its upper surface Food preferences Primarily sugars but will seek proteins and oils. against this species. Food preferences Fats and oils primarily and proteins as secondary. Size Size Sugary liquids (hence common habit of tending aphids and bugs 6 – 8 mm. 5 – 6 mm. Size on domestic plants). 1.5 – 2.5 mm. Size Approximately 1.5 mm.

Hairy Ant Meat Ant Odorous Garden Ant Pavement Ant (Paratechina longicornis) (Iridomyrmex purpureus) (Iridomyrmex spp.) (Tetramorium spp.)

Key Features Key Features Key Features Key Features › Hairy ants have extremely long 12-segmented antennae which › These are large ants with large mandibles › Black in colour › Brown to black in colour lack a club › Red and black in colour › Produces a distinctive odour when crushed › Pale legs › Single node on pedicel › Compound eyes placed relatively high on the head away from › Not commonly found indoors › Two nodes on pedicel › Legs are unusually long relative to body size the mandibles › Compound eyes placed relatively high on the head away from › Sting present › There are many long, coarse, scattered hairs over the body › Single prominent node on pedicel the mandibles › 12-segmented antennae with 3-segmented club Food preferences › Usually found close to, or connected to, a very distinctive or › Sometimes confused with the Argentine ants but differs in colour › Head has distinctive sculpturing easily recognisable nest and odour when crushed Sugary liquids (hence tendency to tend aphids and bugs on plants) Food preferences with seasonal variations in summer months towards high-protein Food preferences Food preferences Proteins and oils and occasionally sugars such as honeydew. diet in favour of sugary foods. Proteins and occasionally sugars from natural sources. Protein sources (primarily insects) but will feed on liquid sugars Size Size primarily for moisture component. Size 2 – 3 mm. 1.2 – 2.5 mm. 13 – 14 mm. Size 4 mm.

Pharoah Ant Red Imported Fire Ant Singapore Ant White-footed house ant (Monomorium pharaonis) (Solenopsis invicta) (Monomorium destructor) (Technomyrmex albipes)

Key Features Key Features Key Features Key Features › Golden brown to brown in colour › Brown head and reddish brown body › Light brown in colour with darker gaster › Small, dull, cloudy-black ant › 2 nodes on pedicel › Legs, mesosoma and gaster with numerous erect hairs › Two rounded nodes › Pointed gaster › Antennae are clubbed with 3 enlarged segments › 10-segmented antennae with 2-segmented club › 12-segmented antennae including 3-segmented club › Single node (petiole) which is hidden (compare to black house › No odour when crushed › Can be confused with smaller species of Monomorium genus › Polymorphic (workers of various sizes) ant with visible node) › Monomorphic (one size) but distinguishing difference is the 2-segmented club on antenna › Broad lattened head › 12 antennal segments › Multiple Queens in colony › 2 nodes on pedicel Food preferences › No antennal club › Mandibles with 4 or 5 teeth › Pale colouration on all tarsi › A bait only approach is strongly recommended Primarily proteins but will feed on oils or fats and sugars to a lesser Food preferences › Polymorphic workers extent. › One worker size › Can be confused with ginger ant (Solenopsis geminate) Food preferences Primarily protein feeders but will also feed on sugars and to a Size lesser extent oils and fats. Food preferences Primarily sugary foods (honeydew) and occasionally proteins. 2 – 3 mm. Size Fats and oils primarily. Size 1.5 – 2mm. Size Approximately 3 mm. Variety of sizes, 2-6mm. This is a distinguishing feature of ire ants.