Brachymyrmex patagonicus

Introduced to North America from South America, this invasive ant can be a pest in its introduced range. It appears to thrive in disturbed habitats in both its native and introduced ranges.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay.



Chemical Ecology
LeBrun et al. (2015) found a behaviour, first noted and resulting from interactions between Solenopsis invicta and Nylanderia fulva, that detoxifies fire ant venom is expressed widely across ants in the subfamily Formicinae. This behavior was also studied and shown in experiments with B. patagonicus. See the biology section of the N. fulva page for a description of acidopore grooming and the use of formic acid for detoxification of a specific class of venoms that are produced by ants that may interact with formicines in the context of predation and food competition.

Nomenclature

 *  patagonicus. Brachymyrmex patagonicus Mayr, 1868b: 164 (w.m.) ARGENTINA. Emery, 1906c: 179 (q.). Senior synonym of atratula: Quirán, et al. 2004: 275.
 * atratula. Brachymyrmex patagonicus var. atratula Santschi, 1923b: 657, fig. 3 (w.) ARGENTINA. Junior synonym of patagonicus: Quirán, et al. 2004: 275.