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Interim profile, incomplete information Taxonomic name: Monomorium floricola (Jerdon, 1851) Synonyms: Monomorium angusticlava Donisthorpe, 1947, Monomorium cinnabari Roger, 1863, Monomorium floreanum Stitz, 1932, Monomorium impressumSmith, 1876, Monomorium poecilum Roger, 1863, Monomorium specularis Mayr, 1866 Common names: bicoloured trailing ant, Braunrote Blutenameise (German), brownish-red flower ant, floral ant, flower ant, futairo-hime-ari Organism type: insect The primarily arboreal flower ant (Monomorium floricola) is one of the world's most broadly distributed tramp ants. Most occurrence records of M. floricola are in tropical and sub-tropical regions from latitudes above 30 degrees; populations in latitudes above 35 degrees are found in heated buildings or inside greenhouses. M. floricola has been identified as a significant arboreal predator of insect eggs; in Guam it is recognised as one of three most important ant species attacking eggs of native butterflies resulting in their reduced populations. Description Monomorium floricola are small and slender and can be distinguished by their distinctive bicoloured body; a pale body with a darker brown head and gaster (Wetterer 2010) Please click on AntWeb: Monomorium floricola for images and assistance with identification. The AntWeb image comparison tool lets you compare images of ants at the subfamily, genus, species or specimen level. You may also specify which types of images you would like to compare: head, profile, dorsal, or label. Please follow this link for a fully illustrated Lucid key to common invasive ants [Hymenoptera: Formicidae] of the Pacific Island region [requires the most recent version of Java installed]. The factsheet on Monorium floricola contains an overview, diagnostic features, comparision charts, images, nomenclature and links. (Sarnat, 2008) Occurs in: agricultural areas, coastland, estuarine habitats, natural forests, planted forests, riparian zones, scrub/shrublands, urban areas Habitat description Monomorium floricola is primarily arboreal forming large colonies in bushes and trees in habitats that are disturbed to varying degrees. They are a common urban species in most tropical countries (Wilson & Taylor 1967 in Wetterer 2010) General impacts Monomorium floricola, Solenopsis geminata and Tapinoma minutum are listed as significant native butterfly egg predators causing reduction in population numbers of native butterflies (Nafus 1993). In the Phillippines M. floricola is recognised as a serious pest of silkworms (Banks 1911 in Wetterer, 2010); of coconut pests (Way et al 1989). M. floricola has also been observed as a dominant species sometimes in flooded mangrove habitats where there is less competition with non-arboreal species (Wetterer 2010). M. floricola is a common but minor agricultural and indoor pest in urban areas. Notes Three subspecies that are direct children to Monomorium floricola are Monomorium floricola floricola (Jerdon, 1851); Monomorium floricola furinum Forel, 1911; Monomorium floricola philippinense Forel, 1910 Geographical range Native range: Probably Tropical Asia Known introduced range: Wetterer (2010) undertook an evaluation of the worldwide spread of Monomorium floricola. The study compiled records of over 1100 sites from both published and unpublished records in 119 geographic areas. The records include sites that were previously undocumented. Most records of M. floricola are from latitudes above 30 degrees and all records from above 35 degrees come from heated structures like buildings and greenhouses in places as far north as Alaska and in Montreal, Washington DC and Zurich. Please check the distribution page of this profile for detailed records. Management information The Pacific Ant Prevention Programme is a proposal prepared for the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation and Regional Technical Meeting For Plant Protection. This plan aims to prevent the red imported fire ant and other invasive ant species with economic, environmental and/or social impacts, entering and establishing in or spreading between (or within) countries of the Pacific Region. Identification: Please click on AntWeb: Monomorium floricola for images and assistance with identification. The AntWeb image comparison tool lets you compare images of ants at the subfamily, genus, species or specimen level. You may also specify which types of images you would like to compare: head, profile, dorsal, or label. Please follow this link for a fully illustrated Lucid key to common invasive ants [Hymenoptera: Formicidae] of the Pacific Island region [requires the most recent version of Java installed]. The factsheet on Monorium floricola contains an overview, diagnostic features, comparision charts, images, nomenclature and links. (Sarnat, 2008) Principal sources: Wetterer, James K., 2010. Worldwide spread of the flower ant, Monomorium floricola (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Myrmecological News. 13 APR 2010. 19-27. Compiled by: IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group with support from the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme (OTEP) project XOT603, a joint project with the Cayman Islands Government - Department of Environment To contribute information, please contact Shyama Pagad. Last Modified: Friday, 1 October 2010