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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Ants (Formicoidea) » Ants (Formicidae) » Odorous Ants (Dolichoderinae) » Leptomyrmecini » Linepithema » Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)
Photo#87825
Argentine ants, working for scale. (Or is it the other way around?) - Linepithema humile
Copyright © 2006 Ron Hemberger

Argentine ants, working for scale. (Or is it the other way around?) - Linepithema humile
Irvine, Orange County, California, USA
November 18, 2005
On an unripe lemon in a tree by my driveway. They were there for several days at least.

Images of this individual: tag all
Argentine ants, working for scale. (Or is it the other way around?) - Linepithema humile Ants and scale, right? Any better ID? - Linepithema humile Ants and scale, right? Any better ID? - Linepithema humile
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Contributed by Ron Hemberger on 20 November, 2006 - 11:50am
Last updated 30 April, 2007 - 4:42pm

MOST PUZZLING! WRT Planococcus citri
That's apparently the current correct spelling for the scale's name.

There is no page for it at Bug Guide.

I shall go to the guide page forum, but have my doubts.
… Ron Hemberger, 5 September, 2013 - 11:09am login or register to post comments

 
not lost
Here it is --
… Ilona L., 5 September, 2013 - 4:25pm login or register to post comments

Scale turns out to be citrus mealy bug (Pseudococcus citri)
Now, if I can get a guide page for it...
… Ron Hemberger, 3 March, 2007 - 11:22pm login or register to post comments

 
I've given up on guide page.
A note for future generations...

Scale is shown at: http://www.gravena.com.br/planococus.htm and appears to be identical to that on my lemon tree. Apparently, most of the research on this citrus pest has been done on satsumas, chiefly in Japan, and a satsuma tree sits next to my lemon.
… Ron Hemberger, 31 May, 2007 - 9:02pm login or register to post comments

 
Planococus citri
A page now exist.
… Jim McClarin, 5 August, 2007 - 8:58am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks so much, Jim.
I'll do a page or two there.
… Ron Hemberger, 5 August, 2007 - 9:39am login or register to post comments

No idea on the scale either...
But I can confirm these ants are indeed Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Dolichoderinae). Distinctive features are especially visible on the 3rd (right) picture.
"Bio" - citrus farming must be rather difficult with such heavy infestations, even on the fruits themselves. The layman consumers don't realize that when they comnplaint about chemical treatments.
… Richard Vernier, 20 November, 2006 - 3:13pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks, Richard.
The scale looks ugly to the bare eye, but I think, quite pretty when enlarged. I'm glad I included the third photo, which I originally hesitated to do.
… Ron Hemberger, 20 November, 2006 - 6:45pm login or register to post comments

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