Illustration of Argentine ant

Illustration by EH Zeck.

This is an illustration of Argentine ant Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)

Order reference: argentine-ant

Argentine ant is one of the worlds best scavengers. Because of this, it has not only become a serious household pest but is also an agricultural pest as illustrated here by Zeck. The background shows a plant heavily infested with black scale with a trail of argentine ants leading towards the infestation. Argentine ants collect honeydew from scales and aphids and protect them from their natural enemies. Zecks magnified section shows a worker and a queen ant as well as ant larva, pupa and eggs. The accuracy of the depiction of the ants structure is exceptional.

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