Diet

• Omnivorous, feeding on seeds, nectar, honeydew from aphids and scale insects, dead insects, spiders, other arthropods, carrion, fruits, and human food scraps.

• Workers actively prey on insects and other small invertebrates, while the large-headed major workers use their powerful mandibles to crush seeds and process food.

• Readily scavenges a wide variety of plant and animal material.

Range

• Native to Mexico and Central America.

• Widespread throughout Mexico, including the Pacific coast of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

• Through human commerce, it has spread throughout the tropics and subtropics, becoming established in the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and many Pacific islands.

Habitat

• Inhabits tropical dry forests, grasslands, coastal scrub, agricultural fields, beaches, gardens, parks, disturbed areas, and urban environments.

• Builds nests in soil, often forming conspicuous earthen mounds in sunny, open locations.

• Colonies thrive in well-drained soils and are common along roadsides, trails, lawns, and forest edges.

Size

• Minor worker: 2–4 mm (0.08–0.16 in)

• Major worker ("soldier"): 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in)

• Queen length: 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in)

• Mature colonies typically contain 10,000–100,000 workers.