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Crazy Ants

The anoplolepis gracilipes are also known as yellow crazy ants as a result of their frantic movements and erratic behavior. While this species originated in Southwest Africa, it is known worldwide as an invasive species and environmental pest.

This species of adult crazy ants are yellow or tan in color and measure approximately 55 millimeters in length. Worker ants are the smallest caste of their colonies, measuring between two to three millimeters each. Crazy ants' bodies have 12 segments without a club, and their antennae are elongated. The eyes of the crazy ant are elliptical and convex, positioned close to the posterior borders of their heads. A crazy ant's legs are extremely long and its head, thorax, gaster and petiole are brown to black in color. While both male and female crazy ants have wings, males are rarely seen in flight and females shed their wings after mating.

Crazy ant workers are omnivorous, feeding on both dead and live insects, honeydew produced from insects, fruits, plant secretions, seeds and a variety of household food items. Crazy ants prefer high-protein diets, and are capable of killing large prey. Workers also gather food from agricultural crops, such as tobacco or lettuce, and feed on human foods such as fruits, vegetables, sweets, meats, grease and liquids. During colder seasons, crazy ants prefer sweet items, while in warmer seasons; crazy ants feed primarily on proteins.

Crazy ants are highly versatile, living in both moist and dry habitats. They nest in rotten wood, soil, the cavities of trees and plants, trash and under rocks and buildings. Crazy ants cannot survive extremely cold climates and will likely infest houses and buildings when weather changes.

Crazy ant nests can be located by following workers as they carry food back to their colonies. Crazy ant colonies are small in number, containing 1,500 to 2,500 individuals. However, each colony houses between 10 and 30 queens. Entire colonies will follow a queen to a new nesting site.

Crazy ants may be more difficult to control than other ant species because they dwell both indoors and outdoors. In addition, crazy ants forage long distances from their nests, making it difficult to identify their colonies.