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. First found in Turks & Caicos in 2010 (J.K. Wetterer, MCZ): 1 km west of East End, Providenciales. (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 in the presence of this species. It may outcompete native ant-fauna as well as other arthropod life. It is found to affect 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);
Serious nuisance to people through its ability to sting, impacting tourism and outdoor leisure activities. (Booy, O. & Key, J., 2020. Prioritising the management of established invasive non-native species in the Turks and Caicos Islands: eradication and spread prevention); This species is notorious for its painful sting relative to its size. It may sting and blind domestic animals like cats, dogs etc. (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);
Its painful sting is particularly a problem for plantation workers, horticulturists, builders etc. that might disturb foraging ants or worse, a nest. (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 Neotropical 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);
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: A newly inseminated queen, accompanied by some workers, establishes a new satellite colony (known as budding). Dispersal between islands may be via floating vegetation and deadwood. Intentional/Anthropogenic dispersal: nests are frequently formed at tree bases and in potted plants. They are thus regularly spread via plant and soil material. Other modes include infested passenger luggage, empty sea containers, timber, fresh produce, vehicles etc. Their minute size aids dispersal. (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);
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; 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;