YET another “pest of national significance” has infested Perth’s southern suburbs, as the African black sugar ant joins the Qfly on WA’s most-unwanted list. 

The sugar ant, or Lepisiota incisa, was discovered in the Bibra Lake industrial area and is known to “outcompete” native ant colonies in a variety of habitats, according to primary industries and regional development department technical manager John van Schagen. 

“If left uncontrolled, African black sugar ants could displace native ants, which play an important role in pollination and seed dispersal, generating likely flow-on effects to the broader ecosystem,” Mr van Schagen said. 

“They are [also] highly invasive in and around buildings and can nest in cardboard, rubbish, building materials, plants, and garden waste.” 

• The African black sugar ant has taken hold in Bibra Lake’s industrial area.

The little pest is also known to damage infrastructure such as wiring, plastic, and even electrical boxes. 

Residents in Bibra Lake, Coolbellup, and Spearwood have been asked to report sightings of ant clusters which they suspect might be the sugar ant directly to DPIRD, which have already been eradicated from Fremantle and as far away as Narrogin. 

“We ask people to watch for high numbers of ants on their property, particularly ants that all look the same, as this species is known for displacing other ant species in areas where it establishes,” Mr can Schagen said. 

“We advise people not to move infested goods or materials, as these ants are notorious hitchhikers and can be inadvertently moved and start new infestations.

“Biosecurity response activities associated with the recent detection in the Bibra Lake commercial area are likely to continue for several months until national protocols to demonstrate absence of the pest are satisfied.” 

Residents can report suspected sightings of the sugar ant on DPIRD’s MyPestGuide app or contact DPIRD directly. 

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER