Aloha Organic · Little fire ant field guide

Wasmannia is Allomerus: taxonomy confounded by a shift to being a plant ant

Aloha Organic reading notes · Primary study · molecular systematics

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Primary study · molecular systematics

John T. Longino and Michael G. Branstetter · 2026

What it contributes

Molecular evidence led the authors to place Wasmannia within the older genus Allomerus. Little fire ant is now Allomerus auropunctatus. Most existing pest-management literature uses Wasmannia auropunctata.

Read within its scope

The name change does not identify a specimen or change the results of older studies. Search both names when reviewing evidence.

The summary is available here. The original publication is hosted by its publisher or repository; a local copy is not included.

Sources & reading notes

Reviewed October 23, 2026. Guidance is written by Aloha Organic; sources retain their original authorship.