Iridomyrmex (genus)

Formicidae • Hymenoptera • other insect groups • insects (plant pests) • pests-diseases-weeds

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Iridomyrmex purpureus (click on image to enlarge it)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Iridomyrmex Mayr, 1862 - (rainbow ants)

This genus contains around 80 species of ants, found mainly in Australia and surrounding regions. Some species are regarded as indirect pests because they protect invasive scale insects from natural enemies, resulting in outbreaks of these scales. The species are called rainbow ants because of their blue-green iridescent colour.

Type species: Iridomyrmex purpureus (assigned as Formica detecta)

Currently, the following species have been entered into the system:

• Iridomyrmex purpureus
• Iridomyrmex rufoniger