Behavioral interactions of Leptogenys falcigera and Camponotus variegatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with geographically co-occurring termite and ant species in Hawaii. Ranit Kirschenbaum and J. Kenneth Grace, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI

Of the 44 ant species known to occur in Hawaii, there has been limited research on Leptogenys falcigera Roger and Camponotus variegatus (F. Smith); both of which were recorded as adventive species in Hawaii in the 1890’s. Our research focuses on the behavioral ecology of these ant species. Laboratory bioassays were performed to assess agonistic interactions of L. falcigera and C. variegatus with both dry wood and subterranean termites and a number of ant species found in their surrounding habitat. These assays will provide information on ecological interactions and invasive biology of L. falcigera and C. variegatus. We used a rating system based on the first two behavioral responses of each of the two insects paired in each individual bioassay. Following published methods used previously in our laboratory, the rating system is as follows: avoidance (-), no response (0), and aggression (+). In assays with termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki soldiers showed an aggressive response towards L. falcigera, while no response was noted in pairings of C. formosanus and C. variegatus.