Ability to Respond Total:18 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:High
Confidence Notes:This invasive ant can develop extremely large populations that can overrun agricultural, natural, and urban landscapes
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
Easily transported in potted plants, on plant material, green waste, packing material. Reproductives capable of flight.
5
Spread Amount
Native to South America, has spread rapidly in the US and become established in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
5
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
Likely to reduce biodiversity of invertebrates and vertebrates causing cascading ecological impacts.
4
Agricultural
Honeydew tending pest, disrupts biocontrol, potential to destroy honey bee colonies. Capable of biting small livestock, causing them to die of asphyxia and can attack large animals around their eyes, nasal fossae and hooves.
4
Infrastructure
Has caused electrical damage to phone lines, air conditioning units, electrical panels, and computers
2
Cultural
Can develop extremely large populations that can overrun urban landscapes and buildings.
2
Health
0
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
0
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
22
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
Small ants that can be found in plant materials, mulches, pots, logs, shipping material, etc.
3
Control
Current management efforts rely heavily on chemical control, but these methods have not been successful.
2
Tools in Place
Notes
Score
Entry
A-rated pest with CDFA. Commonly intercepted by CDFA
