Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Californian CESU

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The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in eradication of argentine ants from San Clemente Island (SCI) and implement a monitoring program to detect future infestations for bio-security. There are thirteen known ant species on SCI, including the non-native Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) and twelve native ant species, four of which are Channel Island endemics (Holway & Ward 2011). Argentine ants are an extremely invasive ant species that has spread worldwide resulting in detrimental ecological impacts. This invasive species alters biological communities by negatively affecting native ant populations, other invertebrates, plants and pollinators, terrestrial vertebrates and birds. Argentine ants can cause avian nest failure either directly by predation of nestlings or indirectly by reducing arthropod abundance in foraging areas. SCI supports three federally listed bird species, a listed lizard, and numerous endemic species; eradication of Argentine ants may be critical to recovery and delisting of threatened or endangered species at SCI.

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