A Review on Distribution Pattern, Nesting Style, Mating Behavior, Colony Organization of Asian weaver ant <em>Oecophylla smaragdina</em> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Occupying Strategic Biome-agroforestry Systems of Asia

Abstract

This review discusses the distribution pattern, nesting style, mating behavior, and colony structure of the Asian weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) in Asia. Recent findings suggested that weaver ant occurrences are not only limited to tropical rainforests biome, agroforestry and large monoculture fields, but have encroached human rural habitation including densely populated urban areas. Comparatively, O. longinoda and O. smaragdina are taxonomically classified as two distinct species, but the main differences between them are strongly dependent on the allopatric nature or geographical speciation of their distribution. Although weaver ants are dominant ubiquitous and conspicuous arboreal insects with a predilection for habitation in trees canopies, viable nests colonies on the ground have been reported in Thailand. O. smaragdina usually construct their polydomous nests (multiple satellites nests arrangement within a single host but diverse plants species) by weaving tree-leaves using their larval silk. Knowledge on mating behavior is rudimentary; hence more studies are needed especially in understanding how weather parameters affect nuptial flight swarming act. At the colony organization level, comprehensive reports about minor and major workers contrasts with the poorly documented but significant intermediate size of workers caste. The versatile impact of Asian Oecophylla is offering important ecological subsistence services to both the nature and humans. This is by combining positive economic implications to food security concern with a provision of organic nutrients for host plants and highly healthful diet enhancer (nourishing-medicinal). Despite its wide presence in large oil palms monoculture, only one report had exposed weaver ants&amp;rsquo; potential positive ecological impact (i.e. predation on bagworms Pteroma pendula) in Southeast Asia.

The Interaction Between Weed and Arthropods of Agroforestry Ecosystems in Central Java, Indonesia

“…Oecophylla smaragdina is known for having some of the largest nests in the world, which have intricate structures that serve different purposes, including breeding, farming, and defensive "barracks". Oecophylla smaragdina exhibits highly territorial behavior, vigorously protecting its colonies against any potential dangers, whether they are from the same species or different (Parag and Deepak, 2021;Pierre and Ramli, 2022). Oecophylla smaragdina plays a crucial role in terrestrial ecosystems as it acts as a predator, herbivore, scavenger, and granivore.…”