Argentine

This species, which is native to Argentina and Brazil, was probably introduced to New Orleans via coffee ships from Brazil before 1891. Argentine ants are found in the southern states and in California, with isolated infestations in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, and Washington.

Recognition.

Worker monomorphic, about 1/16" long; queens about 1/8-1/4" in length. Body varies from light to dark brown. Antenna 12-segmented, without a club. Thorax lacks spines, profile unevenly round. Pedicel 1-segmented. Gaster with anal opening slitlike, lacking circlet of hair. Stingers absent, but can bite on provocation. Workers emit a stale greasy or musty odor 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. Workers commonly tend Honeydew-production insects. The preferred foods are sweets such as sugars and syrup but they will feed on almost every kind of food including meats, eggs, oil, fats, etc.

Outside, Argentine ants typically live in shallow nest located in moist situations such as under boards and stones, beneath plants, along sidewalks, etc. This ant prefers sweets such as honeydew, fruit juices, and plant secretions, but also steals seeds, attacks poultry, disrupts bee hives, etc. Their habit of crawling over everything including refuse, sewage sputum, carrion, etc, affords them the opportunity to transport the sausative disease organisms for dysentery, etc.