Galapagos Species Database

Taxon category: Accepted

Origin: Introduced - established

Year of first record: 1900

Mode of introduction: Accidental

Introduction Pathway: Stowaway

Subpathway: Hitchhiker on transport vehicles/cargo

Introduced status: Naturalized

Invasive status: Lesser concern

Map of specimen collection localities or observation records for this species in our collections database.

Distribution: Bainbridge #6, Baltra, Bar, Cousin, Daphne Mayor, Floreana, Gardner (next to Floreana), Isabela, Marchena, Mariela Grande, Mariela Mediana, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Santiago, Tortuga.

• Herrera, H. W., Tocora, M. C., Fiorentino, G., Causton, C. E., Dekoninck, W., & Hendrickx, F. (2024) The ants of the Galápagos Islands (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): a historical overview, checklist, and identification key. ZooKeys, 1191, 151.
• Herrera, H. W., Baert, L., Dekoninck, W., Causton, C. E., Sevilla, C. R., Pozo, P., & Hendrickx, F. (2020) Distribution and habitat preferences of Galápagos ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Belgian Journal of Entomology 93: 1–60.
• Linsley, E.G. Usinger, R.L. (1966) Insects of the Galápagos Islands. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Fourth Series 33(7): 113-196.
• Lubin, Y.D. (1984) Changes in the native fauna of the Galápagos Islands following invasion by the little red fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 21(1-2): 229-242.
• Peck, S.B. Heraty, J., Landry, B. & Sinclair, B.J. (1998) Introduced insect fauna of an oceanic archipelago: The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Am. Entomol. 44: 218-237.
• Peck, S.B. (1996) Origin and development of an insect fauna on a remote archipelago: The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. In: Keast A., Miller S.E. (eds.): The origin and evolution of Pacific Island biotas, New Guinea to eastern Polynesia: patterns and processes. SPB Academic Publishing, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, p. 91-122.
• von Aesch, L. Cherix, D. (2005) Introduced Ant Species and Mechanisms of Competition on Floreana Island (Galápagos, Ecuador) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 45(2): 463-481.
• Wheeler, W.M. (1933) The Templeton Crocker Expedition of the California Academy of Sciences, 1932. No. 6 Formicidae of the Templeton Crocker Expedition. Proc. Cal. Acad. Sc., Fourth Series 21(6): 57-64.