Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., 12, 1941. 
NOTES ON THE ARGENTINE ANT AND OTHER 
EXOTIC ANTS INTRODUCED INTO AUSTRALIA. 
By John Clark, 
Entomologist, National Museum of Victoria. 
Figs. 1-3. 
The genus Iridomyrmex has its main centre in Australia 
where there are eighty f onus ; it is represented by ten forms 
in South and Central America, three in India and four in 
Japan and adjacent Islands. Africa, Europe and North 
America contain no native forms. 
At least two Australian species have been transported to 
other places. Iridomyrmex glaher Mayr has been recorded 
from some of the Pacific Islands, Malaya and India; and 
Iridomyrmex rufoniger Lowne from Samoa. 
Two forms are known to have been imported in past years 
into Australia, Iridomyrmex anceps Roger from India and 
Malaya, and its variety papuana Emery from New Guinea, 
both recorded from the Northern Territory and Queensland. 
Neither of the two forms appears to be common as few 
examples are received amongst the many species collected in 
the areas concerned. 
The latest introduction and addition to the Australian list, 
Iridomyrmex humilis Mayr, commonly known as the Argen- 
tine Ant, was first recorded from Buenos Ayres, Argentine, 
in 1868 and since that time it has been transported to most 
parts of the world. 
The date of its arrival in Australia is unknown, but from 
the evidence gathered it was first noticed in Balwyn about 
ten years ago. No complaints or specimens were received 
until early in September, 1939, when a resident of Balwyn 
brought specimens to the National Museum to be identified, 
and sought assistance to clear the ants from his property. 
This pest is now widely distributed throughout the world. 
It has been established in various parts of South America; 
Southern States of U.S. America, Madeira, South Africa, 
Portugal and Germany. 
Writing in 1913 Newell, after five years study of the ant, 
says: — “From an unknown and little noticed insect this ant 
has developed into one of the foremost household pests in 
the world, and its ravages affect, directly or indirectly, the 
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