For decades, Bermuda has been the site of a fierce — if tiny — war between rival species of ant.

According to a recent scientific paper by James Wetterer of the Florida Atlantic University, published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research, scientists have recorded conflict between two invasive ant species — the African big-headed ant and the Argentine ant — for more than 60 years as they battle for dominance in Bermuda.

While the African big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala), from tropical Africa, became the dominant ant species on the island in the early 20th century after being first recorded in 1889, the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) from subtropical South America quickly began to claim territory after arriving on the island in the 1940s. Both species are considered “widespread and destructive”, well-known for killing off native invertebrates, particularly other ants.

Dr Wetterer, who previously surveyed the island’s ants in 2004 and was profiled by this newspaper last year, said most of Bermuda’s ants were “tramp” species fighting each other for territory on the island.

According to Dr Wetterer’s findings, L humile was found to be dominant across much of the island. However, a handful of battlegrounds remain.

“At two long-term survey sites, I found both L humile and P megacephala: on Ireland Island and the Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort and Spa,” he wrote. “On Ireland Island, I found P megacephala along the North Breakwater and by the National Museum as before.

“In addition, I collected P megacephala in front of the Clocktower Mall and to the south end of the Glassworks Mall, two places occupied by L humile 14 years earlier, indicating a modest expansion of the P megacephala population on North Ireland Island.

“At the Newstead, I found the boundary between L humile and P megacephala territory, near the western edge of the property, essentially identical as 14 years earlier.

“At the Newstead, I collected in the same vial L humile and P megacephala workers from only a few metres apart; the ants immediately locked in battle, confirming their mutual intolerance.”

Dr Wetterer’s study also identified four species of ant that had not previously been reported on the island including Pheidole navigans, who were spotted at multiple sights around the island. Given that the same areas were searched in previous studies, it indicates that the species was a new arrival.

“Curiously, at four of the five sites, P navigans was coexisting with L humile,” Mr Wetterer wrote. “On Ordnance Island, I even found them nesting together under the same piece of concrete. It would be interesting to determine whether or not P megacephala can tolerate P navigans.”