ARGENTINE ANT (Iridomyrmex humilis)
 Key Biology
- One node
- Monomorphic
- 1/8 inch long
- Unevenly rounded thorax, usually no hairless
- 12 segments on antenna, first segment same length as the head
- No circle of hairs on abdomen
- Brown, light brown
- Well developed compound eyes
- Look for small, smooth ants with sharp knots
Distribution
- Nests in soil, in walls, basements, greenhouses, may move indoors in winter
- Very active, usually travel usually in large columns.
- The most annoying and destructive household insect, capable of getting into everything indoors, even preventing people from sleeping
- Found under stones, concrete slabs, logs, debris, firewood
- Found also in tree holes, bird nests, leaf litter and bee hives
- Odor when crushed is faintly greasy or musty
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