Nylanderia pubens explained

Nylanderia pubens is a species of ant of the genus Nylanderia, commonly called the Caribbean crazy ant. It was originally described as Paratrechina pubens from Saint Vincent, Lesser Antilles. This species was moved from Paratrechina to the genus Nylanderia in 2010.^[1]

These ants are about one-eighth inch long and are covered with reddish-brown hairs. The colonies have multiple queens. An infestation of this species, or a related species namedNylanderia fulva,^[2] is ongoing in and around Houston, Texas.^[3]

Description

Nyladeria pubens is included in a group called "crazy ants" due to the quick and erratic movements they make. It is a NaNmm, monomorphic, reddish brown ant. Its antennae have 12 segments, and lack clubs. The antennal scape is nearly twice as large as the head. Its bite is not known to sting.

See also

Similar ants

• Nylanderia fulva
• Prenolepis imparis

External links

• • Caribbean Crazy Ant Fact Sheet from the National Pest Management Association with information on habits, habitat and prevention
• Caribbean crazy ant on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site

Notes and References

1. LaPolla JS, Brady SG, Shattuck SO. (2010). "Phylogeny and taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus-group of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)". Systematic Entomology 35 (1): 118-131.
2. Gotzek . D. . Brady . S. N. G. . Kallal . R. J. . Lapolla . J. S. . Moreau . Corrie S . The Importance of Using Multiple Approaches for Identifying Emerging Invasive Species: The Case of the Rasberry Crazy Ant in the United States . 10.1371/journal.pone.0045314 . PLOS ONE . 7 . 9 . e45314 . 2012 . 23056657. 3462614. 2012PLoSO...745314G . free .
3. https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080515/ap_on_re_us/texas_ants;_ylt=Amuuu3dPi58OpMzGIOMc2Kys0NUE Ants swarm over Houston area, fouling electronics