Trichomyrmex destructor
| Trichomyrmex destructor | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Trichomyrmex destructor worker | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Crematogastrini |
| Genus: | Trichomyrmex |
| Species: | T. destructor |
| Binomial name | |
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Trichomyrmex destructor (Jerdon, 1851) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Atta destructor |
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Atta destructor
Monomorium basale
Monomorium ominosa
Myrmica atomaria
Myrmica basalis
Myrmica gracillima
Myrmica ominosa
Myrmica vexator
Trichomyrmex destructor is a species of ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae. Its common names include destructive trailing ant and Singapore ant. It is a pest species in urban areas, known for causing costly damage to structures, vehicles, and electronic devices with its chewing activity. In 2015, the species was moved from the genus Monomorium to the revised genus Trichomyrmex.
This is a "tramp ant", an invasive ant species that easily becomes established and dominant in new habitat due to traits such as aggression toward other ant species, little aggression toward members of its own species, efficient recruitment, and large colony size. As a tramp ant, it has spread throughout the world via human transport systems, particularly shipping. It is introduced with freight in a variety of transport modes.
Today it can be found in tropical regions worldwide, and it can live in urban environments in temperate climates. It is present in or has been reported from many countries and islands in Asia, Africa, Australasia and other Pacific Islands, the West Indies, North, Central, and South America, and Europe. It is most widely distributed in the Old World, and it is very common in the Pacific Islands. Its native range is unknown. It has been hypothesized that it originated in India and perhaps other Asian countries, or Africa. Considering its close resemblance to African Monomorium species and its apparently continuous distribution from North Africa to Southeast Asia, its native range may include southern Asia and the Middle East, and it may have originated in North Africa.
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