Invasive Ant in California

FAIRFAX, Va. (May 5, 2014) – Invasive species can be detrimental to an ecosystem because they may not have any natural predators to help control them and they take resources from native species. A colony of non-native ‘big-headed’ ants was found in Costa Mesa, California, leaving local entomologists searching for clues as to how the ants were introduced to the area.

These ants are originally from Africa and have been found in humid areas including Hawaii and Florida.

Entomologists are also working to determine how the state can best control the invasive species.