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Yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes)

A fast-moving ant that forms super-colonies and sprays formic acid, blinding and killing small animals. Infestations in the Wet Tropics threaten World Heritage rainforest.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, invertebrate.

Native to: Africa or Asia.

Established in: QLD, NT.

Identification

  • Yellow-brown ant about 4 mm long with very long legs and antennae.
  • Moves erratically and quickly when disturbed.

Where it lives

Tropical rainforest, plantations, gardens and disturbed land.

Why it matters

  • Kills and displaces native animals, including crabs, birds and reptiles.
  • Farms sap-sucking insects that damage plants.

How it spreads

  • Movement of soil, plants, mulch and equipment.

Control methods

  • Report sightings; treatment is carried out under managed programs.
  • Movement controls for risk materials.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Inspect pot plants, landscape materials and equipment before moving from infested areas.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Restricted matter, category 3. Do not give it away, sell or release it into the environment. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Prohibited matter. It is an offence to deal with it, and you must notify NSW DPIRD as soon as you become aware of it.
  • Victoria: Not declared. Not declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Other Victorian laws may still apply.
  • South Australia: Not declared. Not declared under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. Other laws may still apply.
  • Western Australia: Declared pest (C1), prohibited. C1 Exclusion: to be kept out of WA, or out of the parts of WA where it is not established. Report any sighting to DPIRD. It must not be brought into WA (prohibited organism).
  • Tasmania: Not a declared pest. Not a declared pest or prohibited matter in Tasmania. Importing animals is still controlled by Biosecurity Tasmania.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
  • Northern Territory: Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (NT), administered by NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

Sources