The 21 most common pest ants in North America.
Linepithema humile Argentine ants tend to mealybugs.

Quito, Ecuador
A feisty little Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) attacks a much larger fire ant (Solenopsis invicta).  Both species co-exist naturally in subtropical South America, but in the southern United States where both have been accidentally introduced, the fire ant has displaced the Argentine ants.

Austin, Texas, USA
Linepithema humile, the Argentine ant.

Davis, California, USA
An Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) attacks a much larger fire ant (Solenopsis invicta).  Both species co-exist naturally in subtropical South America, but in the southern United States where both have been accidentally introduced, the fire ant has displaced the Argentine ants.

Austin, Texas, USA
A feisty little Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) attacks a much larger fire ant (Solenopsis invicta).  Both species co-exist naturally in subtropical South America, but in the southern United States where both have been accidentally introduced, the fire ant has displaced the Argentine ants.

Austin, Texas, USA
A ancient antagony between two highly competitive ants (Linepithema humile and Solenopsis invicta) from the same river basin in South America plays out again in North America where both have been introduced.

Austin, Texas, USA
A feisty little Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) attacks a much larger fire ant (Solenopsis invicta).  Both species co-exist naturally in subtropical South America, but in the southern United States where both have been accidentally introduced, the fire ant has displaced the Argentine ants.

Austin, Texas, USA
Linepithema humile, the Argentine ant.

Davis, California, USA
The 21 most common pest ants in North America.
The 21 most common pest ants in North America.
The 21 most common pest ants in North America.
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013