Biological problems in the control of the meat ant, Iridomyrmex purpureus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Greaves, T.
Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 12(4): 284-288
1973
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1973.tb01674.x
Accession: 000030009
Attempts made in 1944-66 to eradicate the meat ant Iridomyrmex detectus (F.Sm.) (purpureus (F.Sm.)) in and round Canberra, Australia, are described. The biological characteristics of the species, which enabled either some ants in treated colonies to avoid the insecticides used or ants of rival colonies to take over territory and nest sites, or new queens to initiate colonies readily in territory no longer exploited by any other meat ants, always prevented eradication.