Experts say invasive ants not found in other cities

An invasive ant species first found in a Costa Mesa neighborhood last month has apparently not spread to adjacent cities, according to a report by state and local agriculture officials.

Officials are interpreting the survey to mean that the colony of “bigheaded” ants — Pheildole megacephala — has not reached very far beyond the Mesa Verde homes where it was first discovered.

Now officials will narrow their search to the immediate Mesa Verde neighborhood. The colony was found at Kornat and Europa drives.

The 5-mile-radius search area included Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Santa Ana, Westminster and other parts of Costa Mesa.

Pheildole megacephala poses no danger to humans, but it is known to be a threat to native ant populations. April’s sighting is believed to be the first documented case of the species in the wild in California.

The ants are native to Africa, but in the United States, they have long been established in Florida and Hawaii.

— Bradley Zint

Twitter: @bradleyzint