34 replies to this topic

[ArmyAntz]

In your opinion, what is the worst invasive ant species?

 

To clarify I don't mean which species has been the most *successful* at establishing itself in different countries, since that is already measurable.

 

But instead what invasive around the world do you think has the worst effect on native ant species, the environment, and even on humans?

[M_Ants]

ARGENTINES!!!!!!

Idk though I just hate them. 

[ANTdrew]

I’d say Argentines are the most destructive ecologically.

[TechAnt]

Argentines. 100%

There would be tons of native ants around if it weren’t for Argentines. They also are just annoying and literally have nothing special about them besides the fact that they are polygonus and grow insanely quickly.

Edited by TechAnt, November 22 2020 - 9:40 AM.

[TheIndianMafia]

Though Argentine ants displace and crush ecosystems, I do beive that Monomorium Pharonis is on par with the Argentines. Considering how adaptive they are to the ecosystems they inhabit, they have nearly taken over all states, countries and provinces. Ranging from southern Austrailia to Brittish Columbia. Generally speaking since the Pharo ant inhabit more territory than the Argentines, therefore have more opportunities to displace native fauna than the Argentines. Both are undoubtedly some of if not the worst and most dangerous tramp species.

[ZTYguy]

ARGENTINES!!!!!! They suck.

[NickAnter]

RIFA are probably more destructive for humans, due to stinging, and damaging crops.

[ArmyAntz]

Though Argentine ants displace and crush ecosystems, I do beive that Monomorium Pharonis is on par with the Argentines. Considering how adaptive they are to the ecosystems they inhabit, they have nearly taken over all states, countries and provinces. Ranging from southern Austrailia to Brittish Columbia. Generally speaking since the Pharo ant inhabit more territory than the Argentines, therefore have more opportunities to displace native fauna than the Argentines. Both are undoubtedly some of if not the worst and most dangerous tramp species.

I found this species on antmaps and it shows they are indoor introduced in almost all temperate countries. I'm guessing this only means they thrive in heated structures? Or does it mean they're found both indoors and outdoors?

Edited by ArmyAntz, November 22 2020 - 10:37 AM.

[ZTYguy]

Argentines are everywhere. I have no yard because of them.


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[ArmyAntz]

Argentines are everywhere. I have no yard because of them.


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I haven't seen a single Argentine before, I guess I should be grateful for that ​ 

[TheIndianMafia]

 

Though Argentine ants displace and crush ecosystems, I do beive that Monomorium Pharonis is on par with the Argentines. Considering how adaptive they are to the ecosystems they inhabit, they have nearly taken over all states, countries and provinces. Ranging from southern Austrailia to Brittish Columbia. Generally speaking since the Pharo ant inhabit more territory than the Argentines, therefore have more opportunities to displace native fauna than the Argentines. Both are undoubtedly some of if not the worst and most dangerous tramp species.

I found this species on antmaps and it shows they are indoor introduced in almost all temperate countries. I'm guessing this only means they thrive in heated structures? Or does it mean they're found both indoors and outdoors?

 

Indoor introduced happens by human activity, directly or indirectly. Let's say Johnny came back from his trip to Africa to his hometown of Texas and brought back a few plants. Little to his knowledge, accidentally carried over pharo ants through those plants and places his plants in the living room of his house. They move out and colonize themselves inside their house. Now the pharo ants could do 2 things, become a supercolony, or stay unrelated and spread their genes. If the second option is chosen, the next generation is much more adapted to the climates over in x region. colony z branches out from its family  and does one of 3 things, becomes a supercolony, stays within the warm house, or move outside. Next generation is more adapted to so and so place, I think you get the point. "Indoor introduced" gets thrown around less frequently than "exotic" as its not a "WOAH! I never knew this species could be found,

i wonder how it got here." as its more of "oh a human was responsible for this". Two great examples of this are hyponera punctatissima and brachyponera chinensis.

[Antkeeper01]

For Colorado definitely Tetras

[Manitobant]

Lol all you cali kids aint seen the horrors of an invicta invasion yet. They sting everything in sight, tend aphids to destroy crops and make a mess of yards with their huge mounds. People can catch hundreds in a single day, and they fly all year which makes the situation worse. They will kill all native ants and displace other animals like birds, reptiles and small mammals. They don't need supercolonies to be successful, as their queens will get thousands of workers in a few months and alates within a year. F*ck them.

Edited by Manitobant, November 22 2020 - 11:30 AM.

[Manitobant]

Argentines and Solenopsis Invicta.
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Lol all you cali kids aint seen the horrors of an invicta invasion yet. They sting everything in sight, tend aphids to destroy crops and make a mess of yards with their huge mounds. People can catch hundreds in a single day, and they fly all year which makes the situation worse. They will kill all native ants and displace other animals like birds, reptiles and small mammals. They don't need supercolonies to be successful, as their queens will get thousands of workers in a few months and alates within a year. F*ck them.

Invicta is everywhere over here, horrible species.
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well it isn't quite texas or florida level yet. There they prove themselves to be so much worse.

[ArmyAntz]

 

 

Though Argentine ants displace and crush ecosystems, I do beive that Monomorium Pharonis is on par with the Argentines. Considering how adaptive they are to the ecosystems they inhabit, they have nearly taken over all states, countries and provinces. Ranging from southern Austrailia to Brittish Columbia. Generally speaking since the Pharo ant inhabit more territory than the Argentines, therefore have more opportunities to displace native fauna than the Argentines. Both are undoubtedly some of if not the worst and most dangerous tramp species.

I found this species on antmaps and it shows they are indoor introduced in almost all temperate countries. I'm guessing this only means they thrive in heated structures? Or does it mean they're found both indoors and outdoors?

 

Indoor introduced happens by human activity, directly or indirectly. Let's say Johnny came back from his trip to Africa to his hometown of Texas and brought back a few plants. Little to his knowledge, accidentally carried over pharo ants through those plants and places his plants in the living room of his house. They move out and colonize themselves inside their house. Now the pharo ants could do 2 things, become a supercolony, or stay unrelated and spread their genes. If the second option is chosen, the next generation is much more adapted to the climates over in x region. colony z branches out from its family  and does one of 3 things, becomes a supercolony, stays within the warm house, or move outside. Next generation is more adapted to so and so place, I think you get the point. "Indoor introduced" gets thrown around less frequently than "exotic" as its not a "WOAH! I never knew this species could be found,

i wonder how it got here." as its more of "oh a human was responsible for this". Two great examples of this are hyponera punctatissima and brachyponera chinensis.

 

Yeah that makes more sense, it would explain why they're recorded way up in north Norway and Canada too, considering they come from the tropics.

[CheetoLord02]

Solenopsis invicta is FAR worse than Linepithema humile. S. invicta wipe out not only local ant species, but also all ground-nesting animals in the area including lizards, amphibians, and mammals. They also cause over 2 billion dollars in damages in the US alone EVERY YEAR. They even can hospitalize or kill humans who are allergic to their venom. The only weakness of S. invicta is their need for a warm, wet climate, meaning so far in the US, only the southeast and parts of the populated southwest have been affected by them.

For reference, Formica subsericea and Solenopsis xyloni used to be native to Florida, and due to S. invicta neither have been found in FL since 1991. S. xyloni has been entirely wiped out from anywhere that has S. invicta, and on top of that the US. native S. geminata have been entirely wiped out apart from a few isolated populations in Florida.

L. humile does damage native species, but so far are mostly limited to human-populated areas in the west, and are just as limited by the cold as S. invicta. Even the L. humile populations in the Southeast are negligible compared to S. invicta, and even get bullied and driven out by them. The only reason why this doesn't happen in the west is because S. invicta was established after L. humile, and also is far less tolerant of the dry climate there.

[ponerinecat]

RIFA, no competition there. Most widespread, most destructive, most annoying, most economically disruptive.

[DDD101DDD]

Don't forget there's also a polygynous population of S. invicta and they might be adapting to colder temperatures.

Edited by DDD101DDD, November 22 2020 - 6:05 PM.

[Tyr_Ants]

Argies and invicta obviously