Wasmannia

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Wasmannia: /wɑsˈmɑniə/

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Summary

Wasmannia auropunctata, or the little fire ant, is a small invasive species native to the Americas but now widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. It poses significant ecological and economic threats as a powerful predator and pest.

Physical Characteristics

Workers are monomorphic, ranging from 1-2mm, light to golden brown with a darker gaster. The petiole is hatchet-like, and the head has a distinct antennal scrobe. The body is covered with long, erect hairs and has long thoracic spines.

Identification Tips

Look for small, light to golden brown ants with a painful sting, featuring a distinct petiole and 11-segmented antennae with a clubbed end.

Habitat

Colonies are found under rocks, plant litter, and in disturbed habitats associated with humans, such as agricultural fields, residential areas, and forest edges.

Distribution

Originally from Central and South America; introduced to parts of Africa, Taiwan, North America, Puerto Rico, Israel, Cuba, St. Croix, and several Pacific Islands including Hawaii and the Galápagos Islands.

Diet

Generalist diet including other insects, decaying vegetation, seeds, plants, and honeydew from aphids; engages in mutualistic relationships with herbivorous insects.

Life Cycle

Queens reproduce through parthenogenesis, and workers are produced from fertilized eggs. Some clonal queens can produce offspring via automictic parthenogenesis.

Reproduction

Queens can reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis and sexually with males, producing both clonal and genetically diverse progeny.

Ecosystem Role

Predatory and decomposer role; can significantly impact native insect populations and local ecosystems.

Economic Impact

The presence of little fire ants in agricultural fields reduces crop yields and increases vulnerability to disease, harming agricultural sectors.

Health Concerns

Stings cause painful welts and can lead to blindness in pets if stung around the eyes. There is suspicion of a link between W. auropunctata and Florida keratopathy.

Collecting Methods

• Pitfall traps
• Sticky traps
• Visual inspection of habitats

Preservation Methods

• Ethanol
• Immersion in fixative

Evolution

Wasmannia was formerly placed in the subfamily Blepharidattini.

Similar Taxa

• Wasmannia auropunctata

Misconceptions

The little fire ant's sting is sometimes underestimated due to their small size, but it can cause significant pain and injury.

Tags

• invasive species
• agriculture
• pest management
• ecology
• entomology