Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 3. The African Big-Headed Ant, Pheidole megacephala (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Wetterer, James K.

doi:10.2984/1534-6188(2007)61[437:baiopi]2.0.co;2

Cited by 70 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 53 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…Pheidole megacephala and L. humile began their worldwide dispersal in the 19th century and have already spread through much of their potential range (Wetterer et al 2009;Wetterer 2012). However, several other highly destructive ants have thus far come to occupy only a small portion of their potential ranges, most notably the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) (Wetterer 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive ants of Bermuda revisited

Wetterer¹

2017

JHR

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For 60+ years, two of the world's most widespread and destructive invasive ant species, the African bigheaded ant (Pheidole megacephala) from tropical Africa and the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) from subtropical South America, have been engaged in an epic battle on the islands of Bermuda. Both species are completely intolerant of the other and are also well-known for killing off native invertebrates, particularly other ants. Here I surveyed sites across Bermuda in 2016, including resurveys of the locations previously surveyed in 1963, 1966, 1973, 1986, and 2002, to provide an update on this conflict. The status of all other ant species present in the islands, including previous records from literature, is also provided. In addition, I surveyed ants nesting in red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) trees to evaluate whether this arboreal habitat may serve as a refuge for previously overlooked ant species.In 2016, L. humile occurred at most surveyed sites in Bermuda, including all ten resurveyed sites. Pheidole megacephala was present at only two resurveyed sites, a lower proportion of sites than any of the five earlier surveys. Still, P. megacephala occupied substantial areas, particularly in and around Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda. This survey increased the number of ant species with verified records from Bermuda to 25, including four exotic species recorded for the first time: Cardiocondyla minutior, Pheidole navigans, Strumigenys emmae, and Strumigenys membranifera. I found five ant species nesting in mangroves: L. humile plus four Old World exotics, C. minutior, Cardiocondyla obscurior, Monomorium floricola, and Plagiolepis alluaudi.It appears that L. humile may be better suited to the subtropical climate of Bermuda than P. megacephala, except perhaps in warmer and sunnier habitats, such as plantings along urban streets and in open parks, where P. megacephala may hold the advantage. The dataset on the new ant records from 2016 is provided with the paper.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive ants of Bermuda revisited

Wetterer¹

2017

JHR

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“…The study of the impacts of invasive ants on oceanic islands has received a lot of attention, especially regarding the impacts on the vulnerable native fauna (e.g. Davis et al, 2010;Wetterer 2007;O'Dowd et al, 2003). In the last years, however, more studies have found that the effects of invasive ants on continental ecosystems may be just as dramatic as those on islands (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive ants of continental Ecuador, a first account

Onore¹,

Ramón²,

Lattke³

2017

REMCB

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RESUMEN.-El manejo de las especies invasoras es considerado uno de los grandes desafíos que impone el Cambio Global a nuestras sociedades, junto con la deforestación y el calentamiento de la atmósfera. Se conoce muy poco sobre las hormigas invasoras en el Ecuador continental, incluso cuando se ha demostrado en el resto del mundo su agresividad, los impactos negativos en los ecosistemas y las pérdidas económicas que causan. La mayoría de registros de hormigas invasoras en el Ecuador provienen de las Islas Galápagos y no existe un inventario de ellas para el Ecuador continental. Aquí compilamos registros de hormigas invasoras presentes en la literatura y en colecciones entomológicas locales para crear la primera lista de hormigas invasoras presentes en el Ecuador continental. Se registra la presencia de un total de 16 especies de hormigas invasoras. De estas, diez especies son extranjeras, pero invasoras en el Ecuador; y seis especies son nativas en el Ecuador e invasoras en el exterior. Proveemos los primeros registros para Ecuador continental de Cardiocondyla minutior, Monomorium floricola, Monomorium pharaonis, Tapinoma melanocephalum, y Tetramorium bicarinatum. Ademas, los registros de Cardiocondyla wroughtonii y Tetramorium lucayanum son los primeros para el país. PALABRAS CLAVES: especies invasoras, especies exóticas, especies vagabundas, fauna continental, nuevos registrosABSTRACT.-Management of invasive species is considered one of the great challenges deriving from Global Change that our societies currently face, besides deforestation and the warming of the atmosphere. Little is known about the invasive ants in continental Ecuador, despite the world-wide demonstrated aggressiveness, negative ecological impact, and economic losses caused by them. Most Ecuadorian records are from the Galápagos Islands and there is yet no inventory for the mainland. Gleaning records from the literature and local entomological collections, we present the first list of invasive ants present on mainland Ecuador. A total of 16 invasive ant species are recorded. Ten ant species are foreign to the country. The remaining six ant species are native to Ecuador and invasive elsewhere. Records of Cardiocondyla minutior, Monomorium floricola, Monomorium pharaonis, Tapinoma melanocephalum, and Tetramorium bicarinatum are the first ones for continental Ecuador. Furthermore, Cardiocondyla wroughtonii and Tetramorium lucayanum are reported for the first time for the country.

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“…In earlier papers, I have reviewed the worldwide spread of many of these cosmopolitan ant species, including some that have become major global pests, incurring great ecological and economic damage, e.g., Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith), Linepithema humile (Mayr), Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius), Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius), Solenopsis invicta Buren, and Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) (Wetterer 2005, 2012, 2013a, b, Wetterer et al 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographic distribution of Leptogenys elongata (Buckley) and Leptogenys manni Wheeler (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae)

Wetterer¹

2015

JHR

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Leptogenys elongata and Leptogenys manni (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae), the only described Leptogenys known from the continental US, were recently included on a list of exotic ants established in North America. To evaluate this possibility, I compiled and mapped published and unpublished specimen records of L. elongata and L. manni. Leptogenys elongata records have an essentially continuous distribution through central and eastern Texas (65 counties), southern Oklahoma (one county), and western Louisiana (eight parishes), south through much of Mexico (nine states), plus one questionable record from Colorado and one almost certainly erroneous record from the District of Columbia. Leptogenys manni records are known from much of Florida (22 counties), plus one isolated record from Georgia that needs corroboration. I found no credible evidence that L. elongata or L. manni have established populations anywhere beyond their native ranges.

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Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 3. The African Big-Headed Ant, Pheidole megacephala (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract: In the Pacific region,

Cited by 70 publications

References 53 publications

Invasive ants of Bermuda revisited

Invasive ants of Bermuda revisited

Invasive ants of continental Ecuador, a first account

Geographic distribution of Leptogenys elongata (Buckley) and Leptogenys manni Wheeler (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae)

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