Iridomyrmex purpureus

Iridomyrmex • 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 purpureus (F. Smith, 1858) - (Australian meat ant)

This ant is found in Australia. It can cause serious indirect damage in citrus orchards by protecting soft scales from natural enemies (Stevens et al., 2002). The ants feed on the honeydew produced by these scales or by other Hemiptera, and their presence disrupts the natural biological control of these pests.

Synonyms:
Iridomyrmex detectus

• Other images of Iridomyrmex purpureus (Wikimedia Commons - click to enlarge)
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