The Argentine Ant Persists Through Unfavorable Winters Via a Mutualism Facilitated By a Native Tree

Brightwell, R.; Silverman, Jules

doi:10.1603/en11038

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 55 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…Propagule pressure is often touted as a driving force behind the successful establishment of introduced species [15], [16], [59], [88], [89] and propagule pressure and nest establishment priority can facilitate successful P. chinensis establishment, with declining L. humile colony size in winter [90]. Yet, propagule pressure is not necessarily a good predictor of invasion success, particularly in ant species displaying behavioral plasticity [91].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Propagule Pressure and Climate Contribute to the Displacement of Linepithema humile by Pachycondyla chinensis

Rice

Silverman

2013

PLoS ONE

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Identifying mechanisms governing the establishment and spread of invasive species is a fundamental challenge in invasion biology. Because species invasions are frequently observed only after the species presents an environmental threat, research identifying the contributing agents to dispersal and subsequent spread are confined to retrograde observations. Here, we use a combination of seasonal surveys and experimental approaches to test the relative importance of behavioral and abiotic factors in determining the local co-occurrence of two invasive ant species, the established Argentine ant (Linepithema humile Mayr) and the newly invasive Asian needle ant (Pachycondyla chinensis Emery). We show that the broader climatic envelope of P. chinensis enables it to establish earlier in the year than L. humile. We also demonstrate that increased P. chinensis propagule pressure during periods of L. humile scarcity contributes to successful P. chinensis early season establishment. Furthermore, we show that, although L. humile is the numerically superior and behaviorally dominant species at baits, P. chinensis is currently displacing L. humile across the invaded landscape. By identifying the features promoting the displacement of one invasive ant by another we can better understand both early determinants in the invasion process and factors limiting colony expansion and survival.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Propagule Pressure and Climate Contribute to the Displacement of Linepithema humile by Pachycondyla chinensis

Rice

Silverman

2013

PLoS ONE

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“…humile winter aggregations maintained consistent bidirectional foraging trails on Quercus agrifolia (Coast live oak) trees, with maximum sustained foraging rates ranging from 0.29–0.95 ants s -1 and forager walking speeds from 1.85–2.46 cm s -1 . In all observations, foragers traveling up trees rarely had full abdomens, while most traveling down did; this suggests that ants were harvesting honeydew from scale insects observed in canopy foliage [ 7 , 22 , 40 , 41 ]. The rate of ants travelling in both directions on trails was low in the early morning, rapidly increased until early or late afternoon, and then gradually returned to the low early morning level ( Fig 2 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other work has shown moderate levels of wintertime foraging by L . humile in northern California [ 23 ] and North Carolina, USA [ 41 ]. Our observations suggest that tree structure could facilitate continuous L .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foraging behavior and locomotion of the invasive Argentine ant from winter aggregations

et al. 2018

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The collective behavior of ant colonies, and locomotion of individuals within a colony, both respond to changing conditions. The invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) thrives in Mediterranean climates with hot, dry summers and colder, wet winters. However, its foraging behavior and locomotion has rarely been studied in the winter. We examined how the foraging behavior of three distinct L. humile colonies was related to environmental conditions and the locomotion of workers during winter in northern California. We found that colonies foraged most between 10 and 15°C, regardless of the maximum daily temperature. Worker walking speed was positively associated with temperature (range 6–24°C) and negatively associated with humidity (range 25–93%RH). All colonies foraged during all day and night hours in a predictable daily cycle, with a correlation between the rate of incoming and outgoing foragers. Foraging activity was unrelated to the activity of a competing native ant species, Prenolepis imparis, which was present in low abundance, and ceased only during heavy rain when ants left foraging trails and aggregated in small sheltered areas on trees.

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“…However, should these ants be able to access mutualists or habitat aspects that enhance a colony's ability to persist in cooler conditions (e.g. Brightwell and Silverman ). Our results highlight how these ants will be extremely competitive with native ants even in marginal conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature and starvation effects on food exploitation by Argentine ants and native ants in New Zealand

McGrannachan

Lester

2012

J Applied Entomology

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The abundance and distribution of an invasive species is influenced by its relative ability to find resources under a variety of conditions. We examined the exploitative ability of the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile (Mayr)), in comparison with two common New Zealand ant species Monomorium antarcticum (Fr. Smith) and Prolasius advenus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (Fr. Smith), using maze trials under different temperature and starvation regimes. Our results showed temperature significantly affected the mean time to discover food resources, but different species responded differently to changes in temperature. A change in temperature from 23°C to 13°C resulted in an approximately 8‐fold increase in the time to discover food for native P. advenus, but discovery times remained relatively similar for invasive Argentine ants. Starvation did not significantly influence the ability of species to find food. Argentine ants consistently located and recruited to food faster than the native species. We examined for variation in walking speed under the experimental conditions as a mechanism for our results. The results revealed Argentine ants and P. advenus to have similar walking speeds at each temperature‐starvation treatment and both were faster than M. antarcticum. However, Argentine ants had rates of turning or returning to the nest that were lower than the native species. This result suggests that Argentine ants show greater ‘exploratory willingness’ or ‘novelty seeking’ behaviour. Our results suggest that Argentine ants are able to discovery and exploit resources more efficiently than these native species under a wide spectrum of environmental and physiological conditions. Such relative efficiencies have likely contributed to the success of this invader.

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The Argentine Ant Persists Through Unfavorable Winters Via a Mutualism Facilitated By a Native Tree

Cited by 16 publications

References 55 publications

Propagule Pressure and Climate Contribute to the Displacement of Linepithema humile by Pachycondyla chinensis

Propagule Pressure and Climate Contribute to the Displacement of Linepithema humile by Pachycondyla chinensis

Foraging behavior and locomotion of the invasive Argentine ant from winter aggregations

Temperature and starvation effects on food exploitation by Argentine ants and native ants in New Zealand

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