I watched a predatory ant that I believe is Pseudomyrmex gracilis eat an orange dog egg today. I have seen this ant species several times on my citrus trees foraging for insects and I believe it actually eats leaf miner larvae. The first time I saw it was on my Daisy Mandarin, at the time I found the first wave of miners on my satsuma. There were a few partial miner trails on the daisy, but none that were still active.

I think it could be a very beneficial insect as I have also seen it capture and eat a small insect about the size of a whitefly or adult leaf miner. They are solitary foragers, but from what I read they build nest in cavities like hollow stems.

Interesting Skeet. Wonder if they would accept some man made habitat such as bamboo canes or stems that have been drilled out?

Ned

I don't suppose you can ship some the ants out west? Then again, so far so good this year with the leaf miners. I think the spinosad application was done at the right time this year.

Phillip

Skeet
We have those here and they are called the Halloween ant. Here’s an article from LSU
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/lawn_garden/home_gardening/Elongate+Twig+Ant.htm
Karl

Yes, Karl, I saw an article about them moving into LA. I have yet to find their nest, and I don't know if the nest can be managed, but the ant I have seen several times is constantly on the move looking for insects. I have not seen it eat a leaf miner larvae, but I have seen many leaf miner trails that seem to have ended a lot sooner than normal where I have seen the ant and larvae appear to be one of their preferred foods.

In searching for info to identify this ant I found an article about an ant that has been cultivated in China for centuries to protect citrus. Links to a couple article are posted below.
http://www.fadr.msu.ru/rodale/agsieve/txt/vol1/1/art9.html
http://www.springerlink.com/content/j576171058543352/