Classification: | Kingdom: Animalia | Phylum: Arthropoda | Class: Insecta | Order: Hymenoptera | Family: Formicidae | Genus: Nylanderia |

The ant attending to aphids.

Initially, I identified this ant as Linepithema humile (Argentine Ant). However, upon reviewing an article concerning ants found in healthcare facilities in Singapore [1], I discovered that Linepithema humile was not among the 18 listed species. Given that this ant is common in my residential area, it is plausible that it could also be present near healthcare facilities. The species depicted in my photographs closely resemble Paratrechina bourbonica and Paratrechina pubens, both of which were reclassified under the genus Nylanderia post-2010 [2, 3]. Consequently, I have provisionally identified this ant as belonging to the Nylanderia genus.

References:

[1] Man LS, Lee CY. Structure-invading pest ants in healthcare facilities in Singapore. Sociobiology 2012;59(1):241-249. | Read article |

[2] LaPolla JS, Brady SG, Shattuck SO. Phylogeny and taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus-group of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Systematic Entomology 2010;35:118-131. | Read article |

[3] LaPolla JS, Brady SG, Shattuck SO. Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World: An introduction to the systematics and biology of the genus. Zootaxa 2011;3110:1-9. | Read article |