Host-Tree Selection by the Invasive Argentine Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Relation to Honeydew-Producing Insects

Abstract

The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr; Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is one of the world's most hazardous invasive species, and thus its eradication from Japan is important. Physical and chemical controls can be expensive and cause strong adverse effects on local terrestrial ecosystems regardless of their high efficacy. Here, presence/absence of host-tree selection by Argentine ants was investigated to understand the ant-honeydew-producing insects interactions in order to develop new cultural controls compatible with biodiversity conservation. Abundance of Argentine ants and their tree utilization ratio was measured among dominant roadside trees (Cinnamomum camphora, Myrica rubra, Nerium indicum, Rhaphiolepis indica var. umbellata, Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka) in two areas around Kobe, Japan. Almost all ants collected were Argentine ants suggesting that native ants would have been competitively excluded. Tree utilization of Argentine ants clearly differed among host trees. Abundance of both Argentine ants and honeydew-producing insects and tree utilization rate of the ants were significantly lower in especially C. camphora and J. chinensis. Few Argentine ants were observed trailing on C. camphora, J. Chinensis, and N. indicum, most probably due to low abundance of honeydew-producing insects on these trees with the toxic and repellent chemical components. On the other hand, high abundance of both Argentine ants and homopterans were found in M. rubra and especially R. indica. We suggest that reductions of R. indica and M. rubra would lead to a decrease in abundance of honeydew-producing insects, and thus effectively control populations of Argentine ants. At the same time, planting of C. camphora, J. Chinensis, and N. indicum may also play a role in restraint efficacy against invasion of the invasive ants.

Acute toxicity of fipronil to an invasive ant, <i>Lepisiota frauenfeldi</i>

“…26) This mutualism has been found to exert a wide range of effects on arthropods, and it also eventually affects plant health. 28,29) Based on previously reported findings, Le. frauenfeldi has been listed as an invasive alien species (IAS) under the Invasive Alien Species Act of Japan since 2020, 30) and its eradication/control using chemical agents has been initiated in several areas, including Aichi and Okinawa prefectures.…”

Eradication and Control Strategies for Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) in Taiwan

“…Our review of the most recent literature reveals new trends for RIFA eradication planning (Table 1). Recent studies focused on the identification of invasive ants [25], the prediction of the spread and its prevention [26][27][28][29][30][31], social economic impacts [32], environmental impacts [33][34][35][36], treatment and control [9,13,14,[37][38][39][40][41][42], and genetic and biological identification methods [7,18,20,43], as well as technology adoption, such as digital data collection [22], aerial surveillance [15], and GIS measurements [16,17].…”