Pest Profile: Yellow Crazy Ants

Ants are one of the most abundant insects on earth. The total ant population is estimated at one quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000)! Ants perform many important roles and are essential to the well-being of a great variety of habitats. But here is one exotic ant species we do not want in Tweed Shire: Yellow Crazy Ants Anoplolepis gracilipes.

An infestation of Yellow Crazy Ants Anoplolepis gracilipes was recently confirmed in Lismore, the first time in more than a decade the species has been found in NSW.

According to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the species is serious environmental pest. Although the ants are not a direct threat to humans they pose a grave environmental and economic threat and have the potential to spread to large parts of Australia.

The ants are yellow or brownish, about 5mm long, with very long legs and antennae and an erratic walking style. The ant is known to spread very quickly, build super colonies and damage local ecosystems.

On their website, DPI urge anyone who sees the ants to report them on the Biosecurity Hotline 1800 680 244, the DPI website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/info/reportexoticant or through Local Land Services.

For further information see: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/releases/2018/yellow-crazy-ants-confirmed-in-lismore