ABSTRACT
Ants are one of the most ubiquitous animal groups in both natural and man-made terrestrial systems and as such are bound to influence other components of these systems. In southern Africa, the advantageous effects of ants almost certainly outweigh their disadvantages. Their greatest benefit is as predators of insect pests, but they also process dead organic matter. Although this paper is mainly concerned with the detrimental effects of ants in agricultural and urban settings, examples of their beneficial effects will also be mentioned.
