Anoplolepis gracilipes is not yet known from many moist lowland
tropical areas where it would probably thrive, including west-central
Africa and much of the Neotropics. Populations in western Mexico are
prevented from expanding eastward by a central mountain range, but
may be able to spread south, around the mountains, to the Caribbean,
Central America, and South America. Records from arid Baja Califor-nia, Mexico indicate that A. gracilipes can invade and persist in areas
with arid climates, perhaps due to moderating effects of irrigation.