The Linepithema humile Empire
11/5/21 Starting a more detailed report on this very invasive species. First-order: squash at least 100 daily if possible for 100 days. This would equate to a full-size colony. The Linepithema humile Empire structure is probably quite simple in an urban setting. Most suitable lots will have at least one colony and are interconnected by trails. Therefore, each lot would have to be cleared of its satellite colonies for completion to happen.
11/7/21 From prior excessive removal procedures(sealed crawl holes on one corner), the ants ceased their trail along the bottom of the walls into neighbors' yards. The persimmon tree branches are full of fruit, some are ripened providing food for insects, birds, and mammals. Ants from other neighbors streamed in from branches touching the back wall top. All cut off, allowing access to the persimmon tree from the ground trunk and branches that leaned on the wire fence. The area around the tree trunk has been cleared to allow a view of any trails. 11/8/21 A colony is situated where the concrete patio and sunroom join with a water faucet on the front side(C1). Two eight-foot wood pieces which provided a path from the persimmon tree to C1 are basically free of ants. Sprayed the tree with water. They adjust courses and regroup quickly after a disturbance. Lifting up a stepping stone revealed a local colony, pounded with a maul sledgehammer seems to be at least a temporary solution. A little later, they were digging back their access hole and pounded it with a rubber mallet. Their trail originated from the persimmon tree to a clothesline tied to a butterfly bush. Dense trails on a straight smooth surface pathway provide for easy cleaning. The neighbor ants are still seen on top of the wall, they represent the multiple colony virtually unlimited invasion. 11/9/21 They formed a trail on the bladderpod bush and up the wall to their existing external trail. Branches in contact with the wall were pruned off. Two grass stems about a foot off the ground are still connected to the wall. Tested lightweight perlite filter media on the trail, they went around it. One wood piece(WP2) was placed on the wall where the persimmon branch connected to the wall. Its bottom portion on the ground is about six inches from the persimmon tree base and very close to an existing trail. 11/10/21 The ants found one small branch still connected to the fence. Pruned off. Later in the evening, the trail went down the fence. Squash. A while later two thinned-out trails near the last used the two grass branches connected to the wall. Squash. A while later they found the next bush(B1) and another stream of ants from the persimmon tree formed a trail to the other side of the sunroom(C2). Their scouts search for new paths to follow and must emit a signal of some kind. A very light trail formed on WP2. They stop at ground level and go back up WP2. They were "follow the old trail" ants, not the trailblazers. 11/12/21 4:30 pm All ants disappeared(11/13 found a trail of ants through a crack in the wall) except for a thin trail going to C2. 10 pm The ant trail reappeared at B2. 11/13/21 Ants disappeared except for a newly found trail going through a crack in the wall(shortest path). Examining the whole wall, there are places past earthquakes have been displaced leaving accessibility to the other side. The ability to find paths to their food source is remarkable. Cleared wall area of leaves, branches, and asparagus fern. Any trails will be easier to spot. 6:30 pm They reappeared at B1, C1, and C2. Invertebrate inbreeding(same colony signature, like plants) actually helps species maintain genetic integrity. If natural selection and genetic drift are muted, species can maintain their local apex and continue to thrive. They were first recorded in California in 1907, which is very brief in the evolutionary time frame. In the distant future, many different colonies might form and diversity might look more like their native Parana River habitat rather than a few supercolonies. San Diego Lake Hodges is an example where an Argentine ant colony with a different chemical signature arose. Maybe the 90% of queens that are killed off in May, emit a signature difference at that time. Any possible genetic chemical signature change is immediately killed off. This might be another reason why the supercolony maintains its oneness. 11/15/21 6 pm 80's past week. As darkness descends, ant trails start moving in high gear. 11/20/21 60's past week. Over and through the fence inflow ceased. Underground trails are now being used, maybe leading to the other side of the wall. By cultivating the hard porous soil, passageways are blocked 11/21/21 They were using underground tunnels as a passage to the other side. A trail formed at that recently plugged crack. Sealed off now. 11/22/21 The trails are greatly reduced. 11/25/21 A trail from the ground(wall) to a planter formed. 11/26/21 7:30 am 56 F All trails have disappeared. Late afternoon, one main trail from persimmon tree to c2.
One and a half year note.
5/18/23 No established main exterior ant trails have been observed. A satellite colony under a stepping stone and wooden pallet last year. A new ant colony species appeared for the first time this year. There has been a definite change in population. Supercolony's strength lies in its sheer numbers. The fragmentation strategy is a start. The possibility of genetic drift is now greater.
6/6/23 An ant trail from wall to bladderpod to 8' wood to persimmon tree was observed. On 6/4 the persimmon tree branches along the wall were trimmed. An existing thin trail must have been cut off and made a new trail to the persimmon tree. The leaves start growing fast during spring. This site and others will continue to be invaded be the outside army of ants without the community helping out as well.
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