Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793) Plates 27–29, 36, 54

Specimens examined: Al-Ain, 12.iii.2005, CAC. Al-Ajban, 9.xi–7.12.2005, LT & MT, AvH. Sharjah Desert Park, 5–6.x.2004, AvH.

Distribution: Another invasive species with a world-wide distribution (Wetterer, 2009a). This species feeds upon many household foods, it seems to show a preference for sweets, having been observed feeding on sugar, cakes, and syrups (Smith, 1965). Outdoors the workers are scavengers, consume dead insects and tend sap-sucking insects, collecting honeydew. Recorded from the UAE (al-Ain) by Collingwood, Tigar & Agosti (1997). Also known from Yemen.