Yellow Crazy Ant

Natural history and identification

The yellow crazy ant is an introduced ant known for rapid, erratic movement. It can establish dense populations and disrupt native ecological communities. The invasive-species assessment documents impacts across several island systems, including Hawaiʻi. Those regional effects provide context, while the severity and distribution of effects on Kauaʻi require local observations.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present — established. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present — established”. Its cited evidence source is Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee. Established on Kauaʻi; invasive ant impacts have been documented at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Anoplolepis gracilipes

Common names

Yellow Crazy Ant

Family

Formicidae

Order

Hymenoptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present — established

Origin

Introduced — invasive

Conservation status

Invasive ecosystem pest

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) is an established invasive ant on Kauaʻi. Dense infestations can disrupt native invertebrate communities and harm nesting seabirds.

Sources and further reading

• Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee
• Natural history and identification — species source