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Control or Elimination of non-native Argentine Ants on Santa Cruz Island
Channel Islands National Park » Control or Elimination of non-native Argentine Ants on Santa Cruz Island » Document List
The National Park Service (NPS) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have partnered for approximately 20 years to protect and restore Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz Island is one of five islands within Channel Islands National Park. The NPS owns the eastern 24% of the island and TNC owns the western 76%.
Non-native Argentine ants have spread significantly since their accidental introduction to Santa Cruz Island, thought to have occurred in the 1960s. Since their initial discovery in two locations in 1996, the ants have established in two additional locations and increased the size of each colony.
Although small, Argentine ants can be extremely numerous and have significant impacts because of their strong competitive ability and broad diet. Argentine ants impact the native invertebrate community through direct predation, competition, and interference. Native California ants are particularly vulnerable and are largely eliminated in the presence of Argentine ants. This impact has been observed on Santa Cruz Island
For these reasons, we have been working with researchers, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations to develop methods to eliminate Argentine ants while minimizing short-term impacts to non-target species.
Non-native Argentine ants have spread significantly since their accidental introduction to Santa Cruz Island, thought to have occurred in the 1960s. Since their initial discovery in two locations in 1996, the ants have established in two additional locations and increased the size of each colony.
Although small, Argentine ants can be extremely numerous and have significant impacts because of their strong competitive ability and broad diet. Argentine ants impact the native invertebrate community through direct predation, competition, and interference. Native California ants are particularly vulnerable and are largely eliminated in the presence of Argentine ants. This impact has been observed on Santa Cruz Island
For these reasons, we have been working with researchers, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations to develop methods to eliminate Argentine ants while minimizing short-term impacts to non-target species.