Bigheaded ant

The Bigheaded Ant is a species of ant known by the scientific name Pheidole Megacephala. Originally recorded in Mauritius, it is an invasive species in many parts of the world, especially Florida and northern Australia, where it has displaced native species. It is known for its abnormally large head.

Body Design
A Big Headed Ant colony is divided into two types. The major workers and the minor workers. Major Workers are the more rare of the two. These are the ants that have abnormally large heads. Major workers are usually about 4 millimeters long. Minor workers are much more common in Big Headed Ant colonies. Their heads are not nearly as large as majors but they can be identified by the odd shape of their head. Minor workers are about 2 millimeters long.

The Big Headed Ant has a few different main parts. There is the head, abdomen, thorax and two nodes that separate the thorax and abdomen. Some ants only have one node. These ants have two, 12 segment antennas that have clubs at the end. The head of these ants are sculptured in the front. And the back of their heads are smooth and shiny. All over the bodies of these ants there are long thin hairs. The Queen ants have big wings.

Life Cycle
Just like any other ant the Bigheaded Ant undergoes complete metamorphosis. Within a colony it will have a large number of fertile queens and they have a year-round brood production.The queens have wings but once they are fertilized they will shed their wings and will proceed to find a nesting site where they will begin laying eggs and start a new colony. The incubation time of the eggs ranges from 13 to 32 days. Once the eggs hatch they become larva and the larval stage ranges from 23 to 29 days in length. Their next stage is the pupal stage which lasts anywhere from 10 to 20+ days in length. The queens have been known to lay up to 292 eggs per month.

Ecology
The BHA can be found nesting in disturbed soils, lawns, flowerbeds, under objects, such as bricks, cement slabs, or flower pots, around trees or water pipes, along the base of structures, and walkways, where displaced soil is.Well-cared-for lawns may have BHA infestations that are less noticeable, except along the edges where lawns meet walkways where piles of soil are often deposited. BHA populations expand into neighboring areas by following along these lawn-walkway edges or roadways. Population movements into new areas to establish nests and subsequent displacement of other ant populations can be rapid.

Invasive Behavior
Big Headed ants are most commonly known for being invasive in Florida. There are 17 species of the Big Headed ant, and 14 of those species are native to Florida. The nagging problem of infesting Big Headed Ants has become more and more problematic. Some blame the increase on the many hurricanes that have torn up lawns and broken down trees, making it easy for the ants to infest. When invading something Big Headed Ants are mistaken as termites because of all the trails they leave and things they eat.

Control Efforts
Pesticides have been used in attempts to control the bigheaded ant, but do not provide the complete solution to the problem. In 2013, tests were conducted to find a more effective methods of management. Insecticidal treatments have been used to shorten the growth of the species. Baiting is another control tactic. The bait tends to be sweet honey substances, or simply honey. Baiting tactics could take up to weeks to actually succeed and to get the bigheaded ant out.

Homeowners have several options for controlling bigheaded ant infestations. If they have a yard, they can clear the yard of things like wood and rocks that bigheaded ants would flock over to or underneath. They can also cut branches that are touching any part of the home, which would give bigheaded ants access to the home. Preventative management is usually considered one of the best methods of controlling the invasive species. The method involves the movement of soil, mostly in potted plants. Sometimes, a controlled burn may be necessary to control the species.

Video
Dan the Exterminator going in field to to find bighead ants.

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