Rasberry crazy ant

Not to be confused with the longhorn crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis) or the yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes).

Nylanderia fulva
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Genus: Nylanderia
Species:
N. fulva
Binomial name
Nylanderia fulva
Mayr 1862[1]
Synonyms

Prenolepis fulva

The tawny crazy ant[2][3][4] or Rasberry crazy ant,[2] Nylanderia fulva, is an ant originating in South America. Like the longhorn crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis), this species is called "crazy ant" because of its quick, unpredictable movements (the related N. pubens is known as the "Caribbean crazy ant"). It is sometimes called the "Rasberry crazy ant" in Texas after the exterminator Tom Rasberry, who noticed that the ants were increasing in numbers in 2002.[5][6] Scientists have reorganised the genera taxonomy within this clade of ants, and now it is identified as Nylanderia fulva.[7]

In 2014, it was discovered that the ant produces and covers itself with formic acid as an antidote to the fire ant's venom.[8] It is the first known example of an insect being able to neutralize another insect's venom, an ability speculated to have evolved in South America where the two species share the same native range. Colonies have multiple queens, which also contributes to their survival.[9]

As of 2012, the ants have established colonies[3][4] in all states of the Gulf Coast of the United States including at least 27 counties in Southeast Texas.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Mayr, G. 1862. Myrmecologische Studien.[dead link‍] Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 12:649-776.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference TX A&M was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Conversation-calcium was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Reihart-et-al-2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ayres was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Main, Douglas (17 May 2013). "'Crazy' Ants Driving Out Fire Ants in Southeast". LiveScience.com. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  7. ^ Gotzek, D.; Brady, S. N. G.; Kallal, R. J.; Lapolla, J. S. (2012). Moreau, Corrie S (ed.). "The Importance of Using Multiple Approaches for Identifying Emerging Invasive Species: The Case of the Rasberry Crazy Ant in the United States". PLOS ONE. 7 (9): e45314. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...745314G. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045314. PMC 3462614. PMID 23056657.
  8. ^ LeBrun, Edward G.; Nathan T. Jones; Lawrence E. Gilber (28 February 2014). "Chemical Warfare Among Invaders: A Detoxification Interaction Facilitates an Ant Invasion". Science. 343 (6174): 1014–1017. Bibcode:2014Sci...343.1014L. doi:10.1126/science.1245833. PMID 24526314. S2CID 45087292.
  9. ^ Can Ants Eat Your Computer: Why the "crazy rasberry" ant infests electronic devices., Slate, 20 May 2008.