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Click here to go back Details of this species in New Zealand Status: Alien Invasiveness: Invasive Occurrence: Reported Source: Wetterer, James K. Arrival Date: Introduction: Unintentional (accidentally) Species Notes for this Location: Management Notes for this Location: The aim of the Invasive ant pest risk assessment project was to assess the threat to New Zealand of a wide range of ant species not already established in New Zealand and identify those worthy of more detailed assessment. A Preliminary invasive ant risk assessment was conducted and a risk assessment scorecard was developed to quantify the threat to New Zealand of a range of ant species, and aid selection of those worthy of more detailed assessment. 75 taxa were scored and grouped into high, medium, or low threats. A summary was prepared for each taxa, outlining why it was considered for assessment, and the mitigating factors that affect its risk to New Zealand. Please see Ranking for more details. As part of the pest risk assessments, the threat each ant posed to New Zealand was considered in terms of: likelihood of entry; likelihood of establishment; likelihood of spread; and the detrimental consequences of its presence in New Zealand. The scores are compared with two species already established in New Zealand, Linepithema humile (a relatively widespread and abundant pest) and Pheidole megacephala (restricted in distribution and not currently considered a significant pest). Comparison was also made to Solenopsis invicta, which is widely recognized as a significant threat to New Zealand and other countries in Oceania and for which a risk assessment had already been conducted before this project. Each pest risk assessment contains information under the following sections: Pest information; Likelihood of entry; Likelihood of establishment; Likelihood of spread after establishment; The environmental, human health and economic consequences of introduction; Likelihood and consequences analysis. Key points that have been drawn from the risk assessment of by the authors are: "S. invicta has a similar score to Linepithema humile, which is already established in New Zealand and is a significant pest. Unlike S. invicta, L. humile does not have medical consequences associated with its presence, but S. invicta is likely to have a more restricted distribution and it is uncertain where it will establish and become abundant". Please see Information sheet for more details of this species. Location Notes: Last Modified: 13/10/2005 4:21:17 p.m.