Two additions to the Iberian myrmecofauna: Crematogaster inermis Mayr, 1862, a newly established, tree-nesting species, and Trichomyrmex mayri (Forel, 1902), an emerging exotic species temporarily nesting in Spain (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Alice Casiraghi,Xavier Espadaler,Kiko Gómez,Nicolás Pérez Hidalgo

doi:10.3897/jhr.78.51858

Abstract

Exotic ants are a growing component of urban and disturbed habitats worldwide. Sampling in two Iberian Mediterranean localities revealed several exotic species. The tree-nesting, black acrobat ant Crematogaster inermis Mayr, 1862, has been detected nesting outdoors on a Robinia pseudoacacia tree in a public garden in Valencia (Spain) and represents a new addition to the continental European fauna. Collection details, a morphological description, biometry, and the remarkable presence of short spines in smaller specimens are also given for this species. A case of an ephemeral establishment of several exotic ant species in a palm grove is also discussed. This case includes C. inermis and Trichomyrmex mayri, also a novelty for the Iberian Peninsula.

Highlights

Insect communities inhabiting urban and anthropized or degraded habitats are increasingly being enriched by incoming exotic species, usually with the unintentional help of human trade (Aronson et al 2014; Rabitsch 2010; Sax and Gaines 2003)
Many well established exotic ants are qualified as pests (Williams 1994; Klotz et al 2008)
Images and data for C. inermis are available at Antweb (KG01956A-1, KG01956A-2 and KG01956A-3; data alluded to by Salata and Borowiec (2019)

Summary

Introduction

Insect communities inhabiting urban and anthropized or degraded habitats are increasingly being enriched by incoming exotic species, usually with the unintentional help of human trade (Aronson et al 2014; Rabitsch 2010; Sax and Gaines 2003). Many well established exotic ants are qualified as pests (Williams 1994; Klotz et al 2008). Tramp ants (Passera 1994), a subset of the exotics, usually remain in an arrested state, never reach pest status. They may be regarded as simple, non-problematic additions to the local fauna. A recent paper by Schifani (2019) is an excellent summary of exotic ants, invasive or otherwise, in Mediterranean Europe. We document several ant species from two localities of the Iberian Mediterranean coast, and which contain exotic novelties for the Iberian myrmecofauna, one being new for continental Europe

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Results

Conclusion