Mutualism plays an important but underappreciated role
in the successful invasion by alien species, and can amplify
and diversify their impacts (Simberloff & Von Holle 1999;
Richardson et al. 2000). This may be especially so for
A. gracilipes and other invasive tramp ants which form close
mutualistic relationships with honeydew-secreting Homoptera
(Van der Goot 1916; Helms & Vinson 2002).