1 island, 1-3 populations, <1ha. (Booy, O. & Key, J., 2020. Prioritising the management of established invasive non-native species in the Turks and Caicos Islands: eradication and spread prevention.pdf); Common in disturbed and natural habitats. (Animal and Plant Health Agency (2020). Factsheets for 21 established invasive species of common concern to Anguilla and TCI for either eradication or control. FERA);
Invasive. (Booy, O. & Key, J., 2020. Prioritising the management of established invasive non-native species in the Turks and Caicos Islands: eradication and spread prevention);
Invasive ants can cause massive declines in species diversity as well as becoming a nuisance for people. In TCI, ant species pose a particular threat of spreading from the main islands to Ambergris and the Leeward Cays Island, where they could cause serious impacts on the endemic rock iguana, endemic lizards, breeding birds and breeding turtles found there. (Booy, O. & Key, J., 2020. Prioritising the management of established invasive non-native species in the Turks and Caicos Islands: eradication and spread prevention); Native biodiversity is adversely affected as it may outcompete native ant-fauna as well as other arthropod life. It also affects vertebrates such as reptiles and amphibians. (Animal and Plant Health Agency (2020). Factsheets for 21 established invasive species of common concern to Anguilla and TCI for either eradication or control. FERA);
These ants are known to chew through wiring and insulation and infestations can lead to short circuits in electrical equipment. (Animal and Plant Health Agency (2020). Factsheets for 21 established invasive species of common concern to Anguilla and TCI for either eradication or control. FERA);
Terrestrial. Native to East-central South America. (Animal and Plant Health Agency (2020). Factsheets for 21 established invasive species of common concern to Anguilla and TCI for either eradication or control. FERA);
Important pathways of spread from the main island to the outer Cays include as hitchhikers in the backpacks of visitors, with general supplies taken over to service restaurants, and in camping equipment and provisions by researchers and campers. (Booy, O. & Key, J., 2020. Prioritising the management of established invasive non-native species in the Turks and Caicos Islands: eradication and spread prevention); Natural dispersal: Budding/nest fission. A newly inseminated queen, accompanied by some worker ants, establishes a new satellite colony. Intentional/Anthropogenic dispersal: via plant and soil material, infested passenger luggage, empty sea containers, timber, fresh produce, vehicles etc. Colonies often contain many queens which if moved long distances further disperse the species. (Animal and Plant Health Agency (2020). Factsheets for 21 established invasive species of common concern to Anguilla and TCI for either eradication or control. FERA);
[Under synonym: Nylanderia fulva] Booy, O. & Key, J., 2020. Prioritising the management of established invasive non-native species in the Turks and Caicos Islands: eradication and spread prevention.pdf; [Under synonym: Nylanderia fulva] Animal and Plant Health Agency (2020). Factsheets for 21 established invasive species of common concern to Anguilla and TCI for either eradication or control. FERA;