The name is absent

examined the effects of both sugar level and protein type on intra- and interspecific
competition in Rasberry crazy ants.

Paratrechina sp. xa. pubens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Formicinae) was first
discovered in an industrial area along the ship channel in Pasadena, TX in 2002 (Meyers
2008). Little is known about this ant species, including its exact species identification
and its native range. Ant taxonomists have noted differences between Texas populations
OfRasberry crazy ants and the previously described P. pubens, yet morphological and
behavioral differences between these ants have proven to be inconclusive in determining
if P. sp. nr. pubens is P. pubens or an undescribed species (Meyers 2008). Since its
introduction to Texas, the range OfRasberry crazy ants has increased by 20-30m per
month (Meyers 2008). Media reports on the ant (named after the first pest control agent
to discover the invasion, Tom Rasberry) focus on the tendency OfRasberry crazy ants to
nest in electronics and cause short circuits. Though these effects of the crazy ants are
likely overstated, it is known that Rasberry crazy ants are often found in extremely high
densities in invaded areas (Meyers 2008). Like another well-known invader, the
Argentine ant (Holway et al. 1998), crazy ant populations appear to be unicolonial;
colony boundaries seem to be nonexistent as ants move freely between nests (Holldobler
and Wilson 1990). Crazy ants are often found in areas that would be suitable habitat for
red imported fire ants (personal observation, K. Hom), such as woods and open areas,
suggesting that the two species may often come into contact and compete for resources.

Red imported fire ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae₅ Myrmicinae) are themselves
one of the world’s top IOO worst invasive species (Lowe et al. 2004). Introduced to the
United States via the port city of Mobile, AL in the 1930’s (Buren et al. 1974), fire ants

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