1. In Seychelles, A.longipes nests on the ground and in trees, underground nests do not occur, possibly because soils ,are too hard or unstable.

On Mahe in the Seychelles, Anoplolepis longipes (Jerd.) is a pest, mainly because of the nuisance it causes to man and domestic animals but also because it increases the numbers of sap-feeding insects and the occurrence of sooty mould on plants. The most important sap-feeding insect associated with sooty mould on citrus and cinnamon was Ceroplastes rubens Mask., the numbers of which sometimes increased a hundredfold in the presence of A. longipes, and up to 90% of leaves were infected with sooty mould. The rapid population expansion of the ant on Mahe prior to 1973 has since slowed down, and infestations in some areas have diminished, possibly because of a decreasing source of protein. Movement of ant-infested material has initiated secondary infestations, which are difficult to eradicate once established. The ant is not considered a threat to conservation as differences between the fauna in infested and uriinfested areas tend to be quantitative rather than qualitative. Attempts to eradicate the ant on Mahe would be costly and inappropriate. The use of toxic baits and sprays is recommended only where ants become a domestic nuisance, threaten productivity or reach other islands in the Seychelles group.

The distribution and spread, interrelationship with other animals, and economic importance (mainly domestic) of Anoplolepis longipes (Jerd.) in Mah6, Seychelles, after its accidental introduction about 13 years ago, are described. Temporary control measures based on solid and liquid baits formulated largely from local materials were devised. Baits containing aldrin at 2 -5% a.i. and applied at 10 kg (solid) and 20 kg (liquid) /ha decreased the abundance of foragers for about 50 days after treatment. Other insecticides tested were less effective. Bendiocarb (004% a.i.) sprayed onto walls of houses and buildings provided protection for about a week outdoors, and for up to two months indoors. There are good prospects for the eventual decline and stability of populations of this ant on Mahe\

Bait containing 1% a.i. aldrin and used at a rate of 10 kg/ha gave good control of Anoplolepis longipes (Jerd.) in the Seychelles, especially when large areas were treated. Typically, 90% or more of the ants were killed, usually within the first few days. Depending on the area baited, population recovery took at least 3–12 months and was largely by re-invasion from untreated areas. The bait was relatively specific but chickens starved for 24 h would eat it when no other food was available. It is concluded that baiting is relatively inexpensive and provides a safe method of controlling infestations of A. longipes over large areas.

The formulation and weathering properties of toxic bait developed for the control of Anoplolepis longipes (Jerd.) in the Seychelles is described. The bait, based on a carrier of sieved coir waste (available locally), was designed to simulate the protein requirements of the ant colony and incorporated yeast extract as a major attractant. It was easy to produce and remained attractive to ants in the field for at least a week under normal weather conditions. The bait could be stored for more than two weeks under ambient conditions in the Seychelles at 23-35 °C and 60-95% RH or for about 10 weeks under air-conditioning at 22-29°C and about 60% RH.