Species
Pheidole megacephala
Common Name(s)
Big-headed ant, brown house-ant
Family
Formicidae
Habitat
Big-headed ants occur on various types of habitat, including coastland, forest (exotic and native), shrub and grassland, wetlands and urban and agricultural areas.
They are omnivorous, feeding on invertebrates and small vertebrates (e.g. hatching birds), beside they also harvest seeds and are ahrbouring phytophagous insects.
Description
Big-headed ants are a relatively small ant species of grey-yellow to dark brown colour. The first antennal segment of workers exceeds the top of their head and is covered with many long hairs. Their entire body is covered in many sparse, long hairs.
Similar Species
Other two species of the same genera : P. rugosula and P. vigilans
Threat To Plants
Prey and aggression on most invertebrate species may have indirect effects on plant species due to changes in ecosystem processes. Collection of seeds and harbouring of phytophagos insects restricts plant productivity and may also assist the invasion of weed species.
Distribution
Currently restricted to coastal suburbs of Auckland
Measurements
Length: 2-4mm
Year Introduced
1940s
Colonisation History
First record of introduction in a chocolate factory in Auckland in 1942.