Argentine Ants

Probably the largest super colony in the world, the Argentine ants have literally "conquered" Europe by having a network of Argentine ant nests stretching at least 6,000 kilometers across Europe from Italy to Portugal. These ants were originally from Argentina and California when sailors accidentally brought them to Europe.

Just how a supercolony forms has long puzzled biologists. Back in the ant's native range in and around Argentina, the species doesn't seem cooperative at all. Colonies stay small, and workers clash violently with neighbors of the same species. Yet in the Europe region, the ants are welcomed and recognized throughout every nest, they treat each other as a member of their family.

The cooperative powers of Argentine ants have even made them a serious agricultural and domestic pest in Europe! Argentine ants are one of the worlds most invasive and problematic ant species. They are very aggressive, and although they are not poisonous, they do bite people.

Because of their sheer numbers, appetite and aggressiveness, Argentine ants can have a massive impact on the natural environment. While they are one of the major household and garden pests, they pose a serious threat to the conservation values of our reserves and natural areas. These threats include:

• eliminating other species of ants
• competing with kiwi for food such as insects and worms
• competing with other native birds and lizards for nectar
• displacing and killing native invertebrates