Taxonomic name: Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger 1863)
Synonyms: Hercynia panamana (Enzmann 1947), Ochetomyrmex auropunctata, Ochetomyrmex auropunctatum (Forel 1886), Ochetomyrmex auropunctatus, Tetramorium auropunctatum (Roger 1863), Wasmannia glabra (Santschi 1931), Xiphomyrmex atomum (Santschi 1914)
Common names: albayalde (Spanish-Puerto Rico), cocoa tree-ant (English-New Caledonia), formi électrique (French-New Caledonia), formiga pixixica (Portuguese-Brazil), fourmi électrique (French-New Caledonia), fourmi rouge (French), hormiga colorada (Spanish), hormiga roja (Spanish), hormiguilla (Spanish-Puerto Rico), little fire ant (English), little introduced fire ant (English), little red fire ant (English), pequena hormiga de fuego (Spanish), petit fourmi de feu (French), Rote Feuerameise (German), sangunagenta (Gabon), satanica (Spanish-Cuba), small fire ant (English), tsangonawenda (Gabon), West Indian stinging ant (English)
Organism type: insect
Wasmannia auropunctata (the little fire ant) is blamed for reducing species diversity, reducing overall abundance of flying and tree-dwelling insects, and eliminating arachnid populations. It is also known for its painful stings. On the Galapagos, it eats the hatchlings of tortoises and attacks the eyes and cloacae of the adult tortoises. It is considered to be perhaps the greatest ant species threat in the Pacific region.
Little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) workers are monomorphic, which means they display no physical differentiation (Holway et al. 2002). The ants are typically small to medium-sized, with the workers ranging from 1-2mm (Holway et al. 2002). The little fire ant is light to golden brown in colour. The gaster is often darker. The pedicel, between the thorax and gaster, has two segments; the petiole and postpetiole. The petiole is "hatchet-like," with a node that is almost rectangular in profile and higher than the postpetiole. The antenna have 11 segments, with the last two segments greatly enlarged into a distinct club. The antennal scape (the first segment) is received into a distinct groove (scrobe) that extends almost to the posterior border of the head. The thorax has long and sharp epinotal spines. The body is sparsely covered with long, erect hairs. This species is well-known for a painful sting, seemingly out of proportion to its size.
Please click on AntWeb: Wasmannia auropunctata for more images and assistance with identification. The AntWeb image comparison tool lets you compare images of ants at the subfamily, genus, species or specimen level. You may also specify which types of images you would like to comare: head, profile, dorsal, or label. Please see the PaDIL (Pests and Diseases Image Library) species content page for Electric ant for high quality diagnostic and overview images.
Please follow this link for a fully illustrated Lucid key to common invasive ants [Hymenoptera: Formicidae] of the Pacific Island region [requires the most recent version of Java installed]. The factsheet on Wasmannia auropunctata contains an overview, diagnostic features, comparison charts, images, nomenclature and links. (Sarnat, 2008)
coastland, planted forests, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands
Invasive ants will usually readily invade disturbed habitats, such as forest edges or agricultural fields (Ness and Bronstein 2004). In natural environments the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) efficiently exploits twigs, leaf litter and for its nesting substrate, while in houses it may infest beds, furniture and food (Smith 1965, in Brooks and Nickerson 2000; Armbrecht and Ulloa-Chacón 2003). In some regions, nests are frequently found behind the sheaths of palms or palmettos. During heavy rains, nests may be moved into buildings or trees to escape flooding (Hedges 1998, in Brooks and Nickerson 2000).
Cold climates appear to be unsuitable for the successful invasion and establishment of W. auropunctata in native ecosystems. However, it may survive in human habitations or infrastructures including climate-controlled buildings and greenhouses. For example, W. auropunctata is a greenhouse pest in temperate regions, such as England and Canada. Although local spread is restricted in such cases, the population may act as a “stepping stone” for the colonisation of more suitable locations (via long distance spread) (McGlynn 1999; Holway et al. 2002; J. K. Wetterer pers. comm., 2003).
Environmental stresses (such as those caused by human practices, such as monoculture) may cause explosions of some ant populations, an effect that is particularly evident within ants’ native ranges. For example, in its native range in South America, the little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata is a pest in disturbed forests and agricultural areas where it can reach high densities. High densities of W. auropunctata have been linked with sugar cane monocultures and cocoa farms in Colombia and Brazil, respectively. In Colombia, a high abundance of the little fire ant in forest fragments has been linked with low ant diversity. The little fire ant efficiently exploits resources including nectar, refuges within vegetation and honeydew residues (of Homopteran insects), and it may out-compete and displace native myrmecofauna (Armbrecht and Ulloa-Chacón 2003). Improved land management and a reduction of primary production will alleviate the problems associated with invasive ants and the environmental stresses that cause ant population explosions.
In agricultural areas, due to the close association of the land and workers, the little fire ant may be a great nuisance to humans. This is because it is more likely to reach high densities and sting people working in the field. The increased numbers of Homoptera insects, which sap plant nutrients and make plants susceptible to disease, may cause substantial yield losses. In Cameroon, on the other hand, the spread of the little fire ant is encouraged, due to the fact that it preys on, and thereby has a role in the control of, certain herbivorous cocoa pests (Bruneau de Mire 1969, in Brooks and Nickerson 2000).
W. auropunctata may have negative impacts on invertebrates and vertebrates. They may prey on native insects and cause declines in the numbers of small vertebrates. In human habitations it may sting, and even blind, domestic pets (cats and dogs) (Romanski 2001). It is believed to have caused a decrease in reptile populations in New Caledonia and in the Galapagos Archipelago, where it eats tortoise hatchlings and attacks the eyes and cloacae of the adult tortoises (Holway et al. 2002; J. K. Wetterer pers. comm., 2003). The little fire ant is probably the most aggressive species that has been introduced into the Galapagos archipelago, where a marked reduction of scorpions, spiders and native ant species in infested areas has been observed (Lubin 1984, Clark et al. 1982, in Roque-Albelo and Causton 1999). Similarly it has been noted to decrease local arthropod biodiversity in the Solomon Islands (Romanski 2001).
W. auropunctata rarely buries myrmecochorous seeds and sometimes ingests elaisomes without dispersing seed. In its native range, the little fire ant decreases herbivorous arthropod biodiversity, increasing the fruit and seed production and growth of the plant and decreasing pathogen attacks. W. auropunctata may also, however, exclude arthropod plant mutualists, such as plant tenders or seed dispersers (Ness and Bronstein 2004).
Please read Invasive ants impacts for a summary of the general impacts of invasive ants, such as their affect on mutualistic relations, the competitive pressure they impose on native ants and the effect they may have on vulnerable ecosystems.
Bruneau de Miré (1969) reported W. auropunctata from the coastal region of Cameroon near Kribi, where cacao (Theobroma cacao) growers purposely transported W. auropunctata colonies from plantation to plantation as a biological control agent of certain insect pests, particularly Miridae (Hemiptera). (Bruneau de Miré 1969). In areas with W. auropunctata, populationsof most insects, including beetles, flies, and other ants, were reduced.In contrast, populations of plant-feeding bugs (Homoptera) that theants tends, such coccids and psyllids, increased (Bruneau de Miré, 1969 in Wetterer & Porter, 2003). Similarly MacFalane (1985 in Way & Bolton 1997) considered W. auropunctata useful as a natural enemy of crop pests in Solomon Islands (Wetterer & Porter, 2003).
Native range: The little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) is native to Central and South America (Holway et al. 2002).
Known introduced range:
It has been introduced into parts of Africa (including Gabon and Cameroon), North America (including Canada) and South America. It has been introduced onto some islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean (including New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Tahiti and some islands in the Galapagos, Hawai‘ian and Solomon islands) (McGlynn 1999; Roque-Albelo and Causton 1999; Holway et al. 2002; J. K. Wetterer pers. comm., 2003; E. Loeve pers. comm., 2004).
Introduction pathways to new locations
Agriculture: In Cameroon the spread of the little fire ant in cocoa plantations is encouraged due to the fact that it preys on, and
thereby has a role in the control of, certain herbivorous cocoa pests (Bruneau de Mire 1969, in Brooks and Nickerson 2000).
Biological control: Used as a biological control agent on plantations in Gabon and Cameroon.
Floating vegetation/debris: Particularly logs.
Ignorant possession: W. auropunctata was likely to have been transported between the large islands in the Galapagos archipelago on plants and in soil, and between the small islands on camping provisions and equipment (Roque-Albelo and Causton 1999).
Live food trade:
Nursery trade: Invasive ant species that are known to associate closely with humans and nest in nursery stock or other products traded locally or globally have the potential to be spread long distances by humans (Holway et al. 2002). Little fire ants are commonly associated with and distributed by humans. Nurseries, fruit tree orchards, and ornamental plants are all potential habitat for the LFA. Since these ants have an affinity for nesting at tree bases and in potted plants, they are especially easily spread between plant nurseries. When contaminated plants are purchased and planted, the ants may become locally established (Romanski 2001).
Seafreight (container/bulk): Growing military and commercial activity may have facilitated the increased spread of ants into the Pacific region over the last century. Commerce to and from islands must be watched more closely than exchanges between two continental areas because ants are more abundant on islands and are more likely to establish on new islands (due to higher ecological vulnerability of island ecosystems) (McGlynn 1999).
Transportation of habitat material: May be spread by the movement of logs and lumber products infested with the ant. It may be spread within the Solomon Islands by the movement of coconuts.
Local dispersal methods
Natural dispersal (local): W. auropunctata is atypical of many ant species in that it does not rely on the winged queen to form a new colony. The colony radiates outwards from its center of origin and comes to occupy extensive areas (Roque-Albelo and Causton 1999).
People sharing resources (local): In Galapagos: food products, equipment.
Transportation of habitat material (local): May be spread by the movement of logs and lumber products infested with the ant. It may be spread within the Solomon Islands by the movement of coconuts.
Preventative measures: The Pacific Ant Prevention Programme is a proposal prepared for the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation and Regional Technical Meeting For Plant Protection. This plan aims to prevent the red imported fire ant and other invasive ant species with economic, environmental and/or social impacts, entering and establishing in or spreading between (or within) countries of the Pacific Region.
A detailed pest risk assessment for the eight species ranked as having the highest potential risk to New Zealand was prepared as part of 'The invasive ant risk assessment project', Harris et al. 2005., for Biosecurity New Zealand by Landcare Research. The Invasive ant risk assessment for Wasmannia auropunctata can be viewed at Wasmannia auropunctata risk assessment. Please see Wasmannia auropunctata information sheet for more information on biology, distribution, pest status and control technologies.
Integrated management: The potential of invasive ants to reach high densities is greater in ecosystems which have been utilised or modified by humans. For example the little fire ant is a greater problem in forests and habitats in its native range in South America that have been over-exploited by humans (Armbrecht and Ulloa-Chacón 2003). In south Colombia and Brazil, respectively, sugarcane monocultures and cocoa farms have been linked with high abundances of the little fire ant. Similarily, the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) reaches locally high densities in argricultural systems, particularly citrus orchards, which host honey-dew producing Homoptera (Armbrecht and Ulloa-Chacón 2003; Holway et al. 2002). This implies that improved land management (including improving land use efficiency and reducing the practice of monoculture) and a reduction in primary production would reduce numbers of invasive ants, alleviate the problems associated with high densities of invasive ants and reduce the potential sources from new infestations.
Chemical: Eradication programmes are expected to be more successful on small islands or in isolated areas where distributions are less than a few dozen hectares. In the Galapagos Archipelago, it may be impossible to eradicate W. auropunctata from the large islands where it is established. However it has been successfully eradicated from Santa Fe and has the potential to be eradicated from other small islands such as Marchena. The control of the little fire ant on these islands has been by non-selective ant poisons, fire, or by clearing vegetation (Roque-Albelo and Causton 1999, Roque-Albelo and Causton 1999).
Please follow this link for more detailed information on the management of Wasmannia auropunctata compiled by the ISSG.
Invasive ants typically have a generalised feeding regime and are able to gain nutrition from a variety of sources including grains, seeds, arthropods, decaying matter and vegetation (Holway et al. 2002; Ness and Bronstein 2004). Specialised feeders, such as army ants, which prey on other social insects, are less likely than the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) to be successful in introduced regions as the range of potential prey is smaller (McGlynn 1999).
Little fire ants are omnivores and are very flexible in their diet, preying on invertebrates and consuming plant parts (Romanski 2001). When honeydew-producing Homoptera are present, a large part of its diet is likely to consist of the carbohydrate-rich residues produced by these insects (J. K. Wetterer pers. comm., 2003). In human habitations, nutrition may be gained from fats (such as peanut butter) and other oily materials found in homes (Fernald 1947, in Brooks and Nickerson 2000). The little fire ant has a venomous sting that gives it a greater ability to subdue vertebrate and large invertebrate prey (Holway et al. 2002).
This species has been nominated as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders
Compiled by: Dr. James K. Wetterer, Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, USA & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
Last Modified: Saturday, 31 October 2009