Argentine Ant (Iridomyrmex humilis)

Argentine Ant Control, Identification and Facts

Identification

• Is native to South America; was introduced to North America in the 1800s
• Emits a stale, musty odour when crushed
• Queens are approximately 4 to 6 mm in length; workers average 2 to 3 mm
• Is light to dark brown in colour
• Has a 12-segmented antennae, without a club
• Thorax is uneven in profile
• Is one-noded (i.e. 1 segment attaches the abdomen to the thorax)
• Has no stinger

Habitat and Behaviour

• Nests in shallow sites; high moisture is preferred
• Will forage up to 60 m from nesting site
• Tends to trail along natural borders (e.g. utility lines, grass lines, branches, etc.)
• Prefers foods that are generally sweet; however, may consume mainly protein during spring and summer
• Colonies can stretch over entire habitats due to the high number of queens and lack of colony borders

Lifecycle

• Exhibits complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult)
• Eggs are very small (0.3 mm) and are white in appearance; eggs, larvae, and pupae remain in the nest unless being transported by workers to a new nesting location
• Development time, from egg to adult, is dependent on temperature and can range anywhere between 33 and 141 days
• Colonies typically contain 10% queens and 90% workers
• Have an enormous die off in the winter; the reproductives and some workers continue to rear the young in protected areas