General Impact
This ant displaces most native invertebrate faunas directly through aggression, and as such is a serious threat to biodiversity. Evidence also exists of reductions in vertebrate populations where this ant is extremely abundant. Effects on plants and horticultural crops can be direct through the likes of seed harvesting, or indirect through the likes of harbouring phytophagous insects which reduce plant productivity. It is known to facilitate the invasion of introduced plant species. This ant is known to chew on irrigation, telephone cabling and electrical wires.
Location Specific Impacts:Northern Territory (Australia) 
Agricultural: Dr Hoffmann says pest ants, particularly the African Big-headed ant and the Yellow Crazy ant, are a major threat to the environment and are also a serious pest of agriculture as they cause outbreaks of sap-sucking insects, which harm plants (ScienceDaily Magazine, Dec 12th 2003).
Ecosystem change: Dr Hoffmann says pest ants, particularly the African Big-headed ant and the Yellow Crazy ant, can form huge colonies, totally displacing native animals and seriously disrupting ecological processes (ScienceDaily Magazine, Dec 12th 2003). Uberlândia (Brazil)
Competition: The negative influence of exotic species on overall species richness in the green spaces of the city was likely due to P. megacephala outcompeting other species. Mexico
Competition: DeJean et al., (2008) tested the behaviour of P. megacephala when confronted with other ant species in an area of its native range (Cameroon) and in an area of its introdued range (Mexico). "P. megacephala raided the nests of the other ants in both cases. Eleven species out of 12 put up a rather strong resistance to raiding P. megacephala workers in Cameroon compared to only three species out of 11 in Mexico, where only colonies of Solenopsis geminata, Dorymyrmex pyramicus and Dolichoderus bispinosus resisted these raids". Madeira Is. (Portugal)
Competition: P. megacephala may compete with native ants. However the impact of this exotic ant on native ant fauna is thought to be minimal. Bush Key (United States (USA))
Reduction in native biodiversity: Wetterer and O'Hara (2002) observe that The two dominant ant species, Ph. megacephala and S. geminata, may pose a threat to native fauna, including sea turtle and sea bird nestlings.
Threat to endangered species: Wetterer and O'Hara (2002) observe that The two dominant ant species, Ph. megacephala and S. geminata, may pose a threat to native fauna, including sea turtle and sea bird nestlings. Garden Key (United States (USA))
Reduction in native biodiversity: Wetterer and O'Hara (2002) observe that The two dominant ant species, Ph. megacephala and S. geminata, may pose a threat to native fauna, including sea turtle and sea bird nestlings.
Threat to endangered species: Wetterer and O'Hara (2002) observe that The two dominant ant species, Ph. megacephala and S. geminata, may pose a threat to native fauna, including sea turtle and sea bird nestlings. Loggerhead Key (United States (USA))
Reduction in native biodiversity: Wetterer and O'Hara (2002) observe that The two dominant ant species, Ph. megacephala and S. geminata, may pose a threat to native fauna, including sea turtle and sea bird nestlings.
Threat to endangered species: Wetterer and O'Hara (2002) observe that The two dominant ant species, Ph. megacephala and S. geminata, may pose a threat to native fauna, including sea turtle and sea bird nestlings. Florida (USA) (United States (USA))
Human nuisance: Warner et al (2008) report that "these ants leave piles of loose sandy soil. Homeowners are annoyed by these “dirt piles” and by ants foraging in bathrooms, kitchens, around doors, and windows, as well as on exterior paved or brick walkways or driveways."
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