Most work that's done on invasive species revolves around "control" -- making the pest species less of a problem in a given area.

My job focuses on unequivocal, verifiable eradication -- possible because I live on an island.

My target: the 1.5mm Wasmannia auropunctata, or Little Fire #Ant. And though reintroduction is a constant threat, I'm happy to say that on this particular island we are winning the battle. Wish the same was true for Oʻahu & Kauaʻi.

#Wasmannia
#LFA
#InvasiveSpecies
#Maui

Often, ant colonies will have more than one queen.

Sometimes, colonies will have dozens, or even hundreds. This is a nest of little fire ants, Wasmannia auropunctata, in Puerto Rico.

The queens are obvious, but do you see the much smaller worker ants?

#ants #insects #wasmannia #polygyny #queenant