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   Monomorium destructor (insect)
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         General Impact

    On a local level (and mostly in urban environments) decreases in ant species diversity have been observed with introductions of the Singapore ant (Monomorium destructor). Outside of urban environments this species is not a major component of ant communities, but it has been documented displacing native invertebrate fauna through aggression, and as such can be a threat to biodiversity. Foragers gnaw holes in fabric and rubber goods, remove rubber insulation from electric and phone lines, and damage polyethylene cable. Cars parked overnight in infested areas can fail to start the next day after the ants have shorted ignition systems. They also forage for sugars, fats and proteins in houses. M. destructor activities can result in high costs in terms of property damage (cars, telecommunication equipment, TVs, etc.) and treatment. Several house and car fires have been attributed to the ant (Harris et al. 2005; and Pacific Invasive Ant Group, 2004).

    Harris et al. 2005 has highlighted the disease-carrying potential of M. destructor, reporting that, a study found bubonic plague bacteria in the faeces of foragers that had fed on plague-infected rats. People being bitten in bed by the ants is very common in the Northern Territory, Australia and is an identifying feature of M. destructor (B. Hoffmann, pers.comm., 2006).




         Location Specific Impacts:
    Tiwi Islands (Australia) English 
    Economic/Livelihoods: On the Tiwi Islands the Singapore ant (Monomorium destructor) causes damage worth approximately AUD$70,000 per annum, with a number of houses requiring complete rewiring. It also is commonly associated with food preparation areas (B. Hoffmann, pers.comm., 2003).

    Human nuisance: The Singapore ant (Monomorium destructor) frequently sting people, and the residents of the Tiwi Islands complain about having to co-exist with this species (B. Hoffmann, pers.comm., 2003).
    Helen Reef (Palau) English 
    Other: The Singapore ant (Monomorium destructor) causes extensive economic damage in human settlements by damaging fabric and rubber goods and removing insulation from electric cables. On Tobi Island phone cables and solar electricity systems are at risk of damage. Humans also suffer from the insects’ aggressive nature; the resident population on Tobi Island has decreased significantly due to disturbance by this ant. It also has a negative impact on native fauna, displacing invertebrates and reducing seabirds and turtle numbers.
    Tobi Is. (Palau) English 
    Other: The Singapore ant (Monomorium destructor) causes extensive economic damage in human settlements by damaging fabric and rubber goods and removing insulation from electric cables. On Tobi Island phone cables and solar electricity systems are at risk of damage. Humans also suffer from the insects’ aggressive nature; the resident population on Tobi Island has decreased significantly due to disturbance by this ant. It also has a negative impact on native fauna, displacing invertebrates and reducing seabirds and turtle numbers.
    United Arab Emirates English 
    Human nuisance: The Singapore ant (Monomorium destructor) can be a nuisance in and around houses and is known to destroy the insulation of electric cables (Collingwood et al. 1997).



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