Black crazy ants

Paratrechina longicornis

Black crazy ants

Legal Status: Notifiable Organism

Status in New Zealand: Not in New Zealand

Organism: Insects, worms and other land invertebrates

Pest and disease search

This species is NOT in New Zealand.

Report sightings to hotline ph 0800 809 966

General information

Black crazy ants are very common in many countries and are regularly intercepted on imported products at the New Zealand border. They could potentially compete with some of our native species. They are distinctive for their erratic and rapid walk.

Since March 2001 when the national invasive ant surveillance programme began, Biosecurity New Zealand has found and destroyed a number of isolated nests of crazy ants at container devanning and storage yards and at international seaports in Auckland, Wellington, Mt Maunganui and Napier.

If you have noticed any unusual ant activity around your home - especially if you have recently returned from Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the United States, Japan or Northern Australia, we want to hear from you.