NSW Department of Primary Industries

Yellow Crazy Ant

Yellow Crazy Ant Identification Features

Anoplolepis gracilipes known as Yellow Crazy Ant (YCA) is a relatively large, yellow to orange coloured ant with long legs, large eyes and extremely long antennal scapes (The elongated basal segment of the antenna) (Fig. 4).

  • Slender body with Long appendages (Fig 1)
  • Long neck connecting its body and head (Fig 1)

Figure 1. Photograph of yellow crazy ant specimen

  • Single petiole which is raised (Fig 2), acidopore present on gaster (Fig 3) = Formicinae

Figure 2. Illustration of yellow crazy ant abdomen

Figure 3. Illustration of yellow crazy ant abdomen, highlighting acidopore

  • Antennal scape length greater than 1.5 times head length and has 11 segments (including the scape) (Figs 4 & 5)
  • Large eyes that break outline of face (Figs 4 & 5)

Figure 4. Illustration of yellow crazy ant head and antennae

Figure 5. Photograph of yellow crazy ant head and antennae="caption">

Figure 6. Photograph of yellow crazy ant in comparison to a 5 cent piece

  • Size  – about 5mm (Fig 1 & 6)
  • Yellow to orange colouration (figs 1 & 5) with a dark abdomen
  • Walking style is erratic

Images from http://idtools.org/id/ants/pia/Fact_Sheets/Anoplolepis_gracilipes.html & Biosecurity collections NSW DPI

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au