Factores que influyen en la distribución de nidos de la hormiga Argentina Linepithema humile Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), en un ecosistema precordillerano de la zona central de Chile

Abstract

-The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the dependant relationship between the Argentine ant Linepithema humile Mayr, plant coverage, and human settlements. A method was designed in order to sample the presence of the Argentine ant and other ant species that may had influenced L. humile distribution, under different types of vegetation and percentages of plant coverage, taking in consideration the distance from human settlements. Eight sample stations were established. Four of these stations were found on a dwelling home and the other four were found on similar areas, but far from human settlements. Three transects were established from the center of each sampling station (Tt 1, shrublike vegetation, Tt 2 , herblike vegetation and Tt 3 , no vegetation). Transects were compound by 10 m side quadrants. A negative correlation was found between nest number of L. humile and human settlement distance, therefore nests were not found at distances higher than 80 m, in all studied areas. There was a positive and significant correlation between nest number of L. humile and plant coverage percentage, regardless the type of vegetation found. The same trend was found for other ant species studied in the area. Finally, it was proved that the distribution of L. humile nests is not influenced by other ant species.

DIVERSITY OF ANTS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HIVES OF THE WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera L. (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE), JUJUY, ARGENTINA

“…It is a domestic pest that wipes out native ant species from places they invade. This would explain the dominance of this species, and the low diversity of other ant species in this locality (Ipinza-Regla et al, 2010;Jones et al, 2016). Severino and Tilquiza do not have important agricultural or industrial exploitation; apiaries are located in more forested areas away from and free from these activities.…”

Hermetism between Camponotus morosus Smith and Linepithema humile Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

“…Although the conduct events of antennal exploration (AE), mandible opening (MO), dorsal fl exion of the abdomen (DFA), and moving backward (MB) appeared in less seconds in L. humile than C. morosus, the fi rst two events are recognition expressions, that is, they are not agonistic type conducts (e.g., Ipinza-Regla et al 2005, 2010, 2013.…”

Register of Nests of Three Formicid Species (Hymenoptera) in Río Clarillo National Reserve, Metropolitan Region, Chile

“…The spatial distribution of the nests of formicids is related to availability of food, nest areas, and the intra-and inter-specific competition between different species of formicids with the same diet (Bernstein and Goebel, 1979;Levings and Franks, 1982;Hölldobler and Wilson, 1990;Ipinza-Regla et al, 2010;2013). The availability of substrates for building nests and the physicochemical characteristics of the soil are also important factors (Petal, 1978;Torres, 1984, Johnson, 1992.…”