Argentine Ant: Challenges in Managing an Invasive Unicolonial Pest

The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, has invaded urban, agricultural, and natural habitats worldwide, causing economic damage and disrupting ecosystem processes. Introduced populations of L. humile and those of many other invasive ants tend to be unicolonial, forming expansive, multiqueened superc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of entomology 2008-01, Vol.53 (1), p.231-252
Main Authors: Silverman, J, Brightwell, R.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture - economics
Agriculture - methods
Animals
ant control
ant eradication
Ants - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
chemical control
Control
Cost-Benefit Analysis
dispersal behavior
ecological invasion
economic impact
Formicidae
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Generalities
geographical distribution
insect colonies
Insect Control - methods
Insecticides
invasive species
Linepithema humile
literature reviews
pest control programs
pest management
Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection
Protozoa. Invertebrates
unicoloniality
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Summary:The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, has invaded urban, agricultural, and natural habitats worldwide, causing economic damage and disrupting ecosystem processes. Introduced populations of L. humile and those of many other invasive ants tend to be unicolonial, forming expansive, multiqueened supercolonies that dominate native ant communities and challenge control practices in managed habitats. Argentine ant management typically entails the application of residual insecticide liquids, granules, or baits to only a portion of the colony, resulting in fairly rapid reinfestation. We suggest that prevailing control methodologies are incomplete and not compatible with the behavior, nesting habits, and population structure of this ant, and therefore, more aggressive management strategies are required. Successful eradication efforts against other invasive unicolonial ant species can provide useful insights for local-scale L. humile eradication.
ISSN:0066-4170
1545-4487
DOI:10.1146/annurev.ento.53.103106.093450