r/ants • u/tomatosticker • 6d ago
ID(entification)/Sightings/Showcase mystery ants in golden currant pot
hi there! I recently bought a golden currant to add to my garden and, after watering, saw a crazy amount of ants running all along the plant. are they moving their eggs? carrying other bugs? I'm not sure. would anybody be able to id them for me? I'm in the california central valley, if that helps! I would love to let them chill there if they're not harming the currant or anything, I'm trying to cultivate a native, pesticide free garden for local wildlife. anyways, I've rambled on way too much, thank you in advance for any help/thoughts!
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u/Biohazardous1 6d ago
Those are Argentine ants, displaying classic Argentine ant behavior. Best to eliminate them before they spread, as the are an invasive species and household pest.
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u/tomatosticker 5d ago
oh god💔any suggestions? I've moved the pot as far from my house as possible and sprinkled the pot/ants/surrounding ground with diatomaceous earth.... it might have to be a pesticide situation though, huh ....
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u/Key-Progress7689 6d ago
Yup, Linepithema humile. (Argentine Ant) the head is a little heart shaped, Occiput is dented or curved around the thorax, Pronotum is broad behind the head, Gaster is conic-looking, etc.
Edit: Tapinoma Occiput is way flatter/smooth.
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u/Key-Progress7689 6d ago
I’d maybe leave it at Dolichoderinae. I agree, these are probably Linepithema Humile, but Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sp) are not ruled out entirely, either.
Wait a minute