Little Fire Ant
Wasmannia aropunctata
Little Fire Ant
This pest is not in New Zealand. It is an unwanted organism.
If you suspect you have found this in New Zealand, call 0800 99 66
Description
This is a small (1.6 mm), slow moving, pale orange-brown ant that primarily lives in trees and shrubs. It can be distinguished from other New Zealand ants by its small, consistent size and pale colour; other similar looking ants in New Zealand have distinctly larger worker ants that accompany them (see big headed ants for comparison). In addition, these ants will often sting upon contact with people, which New Zealand ants don’t do.
Impact
It has a painful sting that causes blisters but is otherwise harmless to humans. However, where crops are heavily infested with little fire ants, such as some parts of Tahiti, agricultural workers can be unable to harvest crops due to attacking ants. In addition, they form mutualistic relationships with sap sucking insects, which can reduce crop yields. They also live inside where residents can be stung while sleeping. Domestic cats and other animals can be blinded by stings to their eyes. The little fire ant can also displace native ants and other invertebrates, and prey on hatchling reptiles.
Spread
Native to South America, this pest has since spread to mainland USA, the Caribbean, the Galapagos Islands, and at least six Pacific island groups including the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. See linked pest risk assessment for further information.
Management
High risk potential points of entry for exotic ants are surveyed every year as part of the National Invasive Ant Surveillance Programme. Over 100 sites throughout New Zealand will be surveyed in the summer of 2007.
Fact Sheet
- Little fire ant risk assessment
(1050 KB)
Useful Resources
- http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/
- http://www.antbase.org/
- http://www.antweb.org/
- http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/ants/
Page last updated: 22 October 2008