Argentine ants
This species of ant is native to
Argentina and Brazil and was probably introduced to the United States in
freight ships around the 1890’s. These ants can be found in southern states and
in California, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon and Washington.
Size: 1/16" to 1/4"
Shape: Segmented,
Oval
Colour: Dark brown to
black and shiny
Argentine ants prefer sweet
substances but will eat almost anything including meats, eggs, oils and fats.
Also, when foraging for food, Argentine ants leave pheromone trails
everywhere they go, instead of just from nest to food source. This habit
ensures they do not waste time visiting the same area twice. While in other ant
species worker ants are primarily responsible for gather food, Argentine queens
also assist with foraging for food.
Argentine ant colonies are located in wet
environments near a food source. These colonies can grow to monumental size,
sometimes covering entire habitats, such as an entire garden or your whole back
yard.
Argentine ants do not pose a health threat, but
they can contaminate food by leaving their bodily waste behind.