{"id":1793,"date":"2016-04-12T14:43:53","date_gmt":"2016-04-12T21:43:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1793"},"modified":"2022-05-16T09:58:24","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:58:24","slug":"wasmannia-auropunctata-roger-little-fire-ant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1793","title":{"rendered":"Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger): Little Fire Ant"},"content":{"rendered":"
California Pest Rating for<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\"Little<\/a>
Little Fire Ant. Photo by:\u00a0Eli Sarnat, PIAkey: Invasive Ants of the Pacific Islands, USDA APHIS ITP, Bugwood.org<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em><\/strong> (Roger): Little Fire Ant<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Hymenoptera: Formicidae<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Pest Rating: A<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\n
PEST RATING PROFILE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Initiating Event:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is regularly intercepted by CDFA and is presently assigned a temporary rating of \u201cQ\u201d.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to assign a permanent pest rating.<\/p>\n

History & Status:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Background<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is a common tramp ant species notorious for its painful and long-lasting sting1<\/sup>.\u00a0 These tiny ants nest under leaf debris, rotten limbs, stones, in the crotches of trees, in clumps of grass, and behind the sheaths of palms1<\/sup>.\u00a0 An entire colony can establish inside a macadamia nut shell2<\/sup>.\u00a0 The ants are highly adaptable and do well under wet or dry conditions and in open or shady areas1<\/sup>.\u00a0 They feed on honeydew, dead arthropods, small animals, live insects, and forage in homes for oily foods1<\/sup>.\u00a0 Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> can easily spread long distances hidden in plants, logs, greenwaste, gravel, and even cars2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Worldwide Distribution<\/u><\/strong>: Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is native to a large region that spans from central Argentina to southern Texas4<\/sup>.\u00a0 From there it has spread throughout the Caribbean, to parts of tropical Africa, and to Hawaii and other Pacific islands4<\/sup>.\u00a0 It was first found in Florida in 1924 and Hawaii in 19994<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Official Control<\/u><\/strong>: Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is listed as a harmful organism by Bermuda, French Polynesia, Japan, and Taiwan3<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

California Distribution<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> has not been found in the environment of California except for possibly in 19374<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

California Interceptions<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> has been intercepted 46 times by CDFA\u2019s high risk programs and border stations.\u00a0 Most interceptions have been on cut flowers, fruit, and plants from Hawaii and Florida.<\/p>\n

The risk Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> would pose to California is evaluated below.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1) Climate\/Host Interaction<\/span>:<\/strong> Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is found primary in warm climates. It has been present in Florida for more than 90 years but has not spread beyond the southern half of the state.\u00a0 It is native to southern Texas but has not spread. Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> will probably be limited to southern and coastal California.\u00a0 It receives a Medium (2)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California.\u00a0 Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.<\/span><\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.<\/p>\n

2) Known Pest Host Range<\/span>:<\/strong> Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is a generalist forager that can feed on a wide variety of sources.\u00a0 It receives a High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> has a very limited host range.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has a moderate host range.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has a wide host range.<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Pest Dispersal Potential<\/span>:<\/strong> Ants are capable of rapid reproduction and can disperse long distances when colonies or queens are moved.\u00a0 Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> receives a High (3)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

4) Economic Impact<\/span>:<\/strong> Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is not expected to lower crop yields or increase crop production costs.\u00a0 It is listed as a harmful organism by several of California\u2019s trading partners and could cause trade disruptions as a contaminating pest on a wide variety of commodities.\u00a0 It is not expected to vector other pestiferous organisms.\u00a0 Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is known to tend honeydew producing insects and may consume parasitoids, disrupting biological control of pests.\u00a0 They are also known to be attracted to eyes for moisture2<\/sup>.\u00a0 Stings associated with this behavior sometimes lead to epidemics of blindness in animals2<\/sup>.\u00a0 This may lead to changes in cultural practices in livestock production.\u00a0 The ants are not expected to interfere with water supplies.\u00a0 Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> receives a High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:<\/p>\n

A. The pest could lower crop yield.<\/p>\n

B. The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).<\/p>\n

C<\/strong>. The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).<\/span><\/p>\n

D<\/strong>. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

E. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.<\/p>\n

F<\/strong>. The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

G. The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes 2 of these impacts.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes 3 or more of these impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n

5) Environmental Impact<\/span>:<\/strong> Invasive ants such as Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> may cause slow, long-term ecological changes that have potential to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes.\u00a0 They may also trigger new treatment programs by residents who find infestations and the associated stings and blind pets unacceptable and in the nursery and livestock industries.\u00a0 This may lead to significant impacts on cultural practices.\u00a0 Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> receives a High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.<\/p>\n

A<\/strong>. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.<\/span><\/p>\n

B. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.<\/p>\n

C. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.<\/p>\n

D<\/strong>. The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

E<\/strong>. The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home\/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes none of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes one of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes two or more of the above to occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction to California for Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> (Little Fire Ant):<\/strong>\u00a0 High (14)<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

Add up the total score and include it here.<\/p>\n

–Low<\/strong> = 5-8 points<\/p>\n

–Medium<\/strong> = 9-12 points<\/p>\n

–High<\/strong> = 13-15 points<\/span><\/p>\n

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information<\/span>:<\/strong> Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is not known to be present in California and receives a Not established (0)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.<\/p>\n

–Not established (0)<\/strong> Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.<\/span><\/p>\n

–Low (-1)<\/strong> Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate\/host area (region).<\/p>\n

–Medium (-2)<\/strong> Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

–High (-3)<\/strong> Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

Final Score:<\/h5>\n

The final score is<\/strong> the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: High (14) <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Uncertainty: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

There are already other invasive tramp ant species established in California.\u00a0 These other ants may preclude some of the economic and environmental impacts of Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Conclusion and Rating Justification: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

Wasmannia auropunctata<\/em> is not known to be present in California and is expected to have significant economic and environmental impacts if it were to establish in the state.\u00a0 An \u201cA\u201d rating is justified.<\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1<\/sup> Brooks, Shawn and J.C. Nickerson. Common name: little fire ant.\u00a0 University of Florida Featured Creatures.\u00a0 http:\/\/entnemdept.ufl.edu\/creatures\/urban\/ants\/little_fire_ant.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

2<\/sup> Little Fire Ant: Wasmannia auropunctata. http:\/\/hdoa.hawaii.gov\/pi\/files\/2014\/05\/2014-LFA-Brochure.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

3<\/sup> USDA Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance & Tracking System (PCIT) Phytosanitary Export Database (PExD).\u00a0 https:\/\/pcit.aphis.usda.gov\/pcit\/<\/a><\/p>\n

4<\/sup> Wetterer, James K. 2013. Worldwide spread of the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Terrestrial arthropod reviews 6: 173-184. http:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&ved=0CGoQFjAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Fprofile%2FJames_Wetterer%2Fpublication%2F257645059_Worldwide_spread_of_the_little_fire_ant_Wasmannia_auropunctata_%2528Hymenoptera_Formicidae%2529%2Flinks%2F02e7e5258d69a288fd000000.pdf&ei=2VokVdW3KYfBgwSqwIGYCw&usg=AFQjCNF29YvMf8xw_JFsjIN_lj5aEincAg&bvm=bv.89947451,d.eXY<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Responsible Party:<\/h5>\n

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.<\/p>\n

\n
Comment Format:<\/h5>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments should refer to the appropriate California Pest Rating Proposal Form subsection(s)\u00a0being commented on, as shown below.<\/p>\n

Example Comment<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction: \u00a01. Climate\/Host Interaction:\u00a0[Your comment that relates to \u201cClimate\/Host Interaction\u201d here.<\/em>]<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments will not be able to be viewed immediately.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments may not be posted if they:<\/p>\n

Contain inappropriate language which is not germane to\u00a0the pest rating proposal;<\/p>\n

Contains defamatory, false, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, pornographic,\u00a0sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, discriminatory or illegal\u00a0material;<\/p>\n

Violates agency regulations prohibiting sexual harassment or other forms\u00a0of discrimination;<\/p>\n

Violates agency regulations prohibiting workplace violence, including threats.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments may be edited prior to posting to ensure they are entirely germane.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments shall be those which have been approved in content and posted to the\u00a0website to be viewed, not just submitted.<\/p>\n

\n

Pest Rating: A<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

Posted by ls<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California Pest Rating for Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger): Little Fire Ant Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest Rating: A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: Wasmannia auropunctata is regularly intercepted by CDFA and is presently assigned a temporary rating of \u201cQ\u201d.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to assign a permanent pest rating. History & Status: Background:\u00a0 Wasmannia auropunctata is … Continue reading Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger): Little Fire Ant<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[136,5],"tags":[293,52,317,318],"class_list":["post-1793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hymenoptera","category-entomology","tag-hymenoptera-formicidae","tag-insects-and-mites","tag-little-fire-ant","tag-wasmannia-auropunctata"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5l8vQ-sV","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11383,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=11383","url_meta":{"origin":1793,"position":0},"title":"Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius): Tropical fire ant","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"January 30, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius): Tropical fire antPest Rating: A download pest rating *NOTE You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. 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History & Status: Background:\u00a0 Ochetellus\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5011,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=5011","url_meta":{"origin":1793,"position":2},"title":"Difficult White-Footed Ant |\u00a0Technomyrmex difficilis Forel","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"March 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00adCalifornia Pest Rating for Photo by Alexander Wild Photography. Click on image for photo citation. Difficult White-Footed Ant |\u00a0Technomyrmex difficilis Forel Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest Rating: A PEST RISK PROFILE Initiating Event: Technomyrmex difficilis is currently Q-rated.\u00a0 A permanent pest rating proposal is required to support an official pest rating. History\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"Technomyrmex difficilis","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/difficilis1-M-alexanderwildphotography.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/difficilis1-M-alexanderwildphotography.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/difficilis1-M-alexanderwildphotography.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3529,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3529","url_meta":{"origin":1793,"position":3},"title":"Flower Ant | Monomorium floricola (Jerdon)","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"March 24, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Monomorium floricola (Jerdon): Flower Ant Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest Rating: A PEST RATING PROFILE \u00a0Initiating Event: On February 21, 2017 Dr. Kevin Williams identified ants collected during inspections of beehives recently shipped into California from Florida as Q-rated Monomorium floricola.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11381,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=11381","url_meta":{"origin":1793,"position":4},"title":"Anoplolepis gracilipes (Fr. 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