Monday, 15 November 2004 - 11:06 AM
0114

Ant communities found in association with foraging trails of Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Jennifer Nauman, jnauman@clemson.edu, Patricia Zungoli, pzngl@clemson.edu, Eric Benson, ebenson@clemson.edu, and William Bridges, wbrdgs@clemson.edu. Clemson University, Department of Entomology, Clemson, SC

Linepithema humile (Mayr), the Argentine ant, is a well-documented household pest in the U.S. Once established, this exotic species has been reported to displace native ants. As a successful invasive species, L. humile can move into disturbed and open areas more quickly than native ants. The objective of this research was to evaluate pest and beneficial ant communities found in association with the Argentine ant in an urban environment. Hand collections of ants were completed on the campus of Clemson University July through October 2003. Samples were collected in five habitats three times of day – morning, late afternoon and early evening. Habitats included mulch, trees, grass, shrubbery, and sidewalk/concrete areas. Argentine ants were found in all habitats sampled. In areas with trails of L. humile, ten other genera were found. Species activity did not vary based on time of day, but seasonal activity shifted over time. Significantly more genera were found in tree and grass habitats when L. humile trails were not present. However when Argentine ant trails were present, the number of other ant genera was reduced, but not absent. Although not significant, more genera were found in association with L. humile in shrubbery and mulch habitats. These data indicate that L. humile has more competition than previously reported.


Species 1: Hymenoptera Formicidae Linepithema humile (Argentine ant)
Keywords: trailing ants, competition

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