Species Insects & ArthropodsArgentine Ant

Argentine Ant

Linepithema humile

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)

The Argentine Ant is one of the world's most invasive ants, displacing native ant communities wherever it establishes. Colonies from different parts of the world recognize each other as nestmates, forming a global 'supercolony' concept. In California, it has drastically reduced seed dispersal by native ants and disrupted mutualism networks. Workers form characteristic foraging trails up to several hundred meters long.

Habitat
Urban areas, gardens, and disturbed habitats in warm regions
Diet
Adults: honeydew, sweet foods, insects, and organic matter
How common
Common

Best time to see a Argentine Ant

The best time to see a Argentine Ant is March–September, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,723 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Not certain it is a Argentine Ant? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

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