The first outdoor-nesting population of Wasmannia auropunctata in continental europe (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

An established and spreading, outdoor population of the little fire ant, Wasmannia au­ ropunctata (Roger, 1863), is documented for the southern Spanish Mediterranean coast. This is the first continental European outdoor nesting population. Polygyny and sexual production were ascertained. The infested area, in a suburb of Marbella (Málaga) is 5.8 ha in extension and 1.2 km perimeter.