Camponotus Planatus Research Articles

Geographic Distribution of the Compact Carpenter Ant Camponotus planatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a Neotropical Species Spreading in Florida

Camponotus planatus Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a broadly distributed New World carpenter ant. Here, I document the geographic distribution of C. planatus and consider evidence concerning where this species may be native, particularly whether it is native to Florida. To evaluate the distribution of C. planatus, I compiled and mapped specimen records from >1500 sites. Although, C. planatus was originally described from Cuba, it remains uncertain whether it is native or exotic there. In addition to scattered records across tropical South America, C. planatus shows a largely continuous continental distribution from Panama through Central America and Mexico to southeastern Texas. Across this continental range, C. planatus shows notable color variation, suggesting that it is native to this region. In Texas, C. planatus records dating to before 1980 are spread across most of its known range. However, eight of the nine northernmost records date to 2014 or later, including all six records from the Houston area in East Texas. This pattern suggests that C. planatus is native to Texas, but populations there appear to have recently expanded, perhaps due to climate change. Camponotus planatus populations in Florida, the Bahamas, and Mississippi are probably non-native. In Florida, C. planatus was first found in Key West in 1887, but populations appear to have greatly expanded, particularly since 1980, and now extend as far north as Jacksonville. Due to continued climate change, C. planatus may soon be able to extend its range all along the Gulf coast from Texas to Florida.

Species-specific signatures of the microbiome from Camponotus and Colobopsis ants across developmental stages.

Symbiotic relationships between hosts and bacteria are common in nature, and these may be responsible for the evolutionary success of various groups of animals. Among ants, these associations have been well studied in some genera of the Camponotini, but several questions remain regarding the generality of the previous findings across all the members of this ant tribe and if bacterial communities change across development in these hosts. This study is the first to characterize the bacterial community associated with a colony of the recently recognized genus Colobopsis and three colonies of Camponotus (two distinct species) and show how different the composition of the bacterial community is when compared across the different genera. Our data reveal that Colobopsis (species: Co. riehlii) and Camponotus (species: Ca. floridanus and Ca. planatus) have distinct microbiota, and we were able to verify that the identity of the species contributes more to the bacterial diversity. We also demonstrated that there were no significant differences between colonies of the same species (Camponotus planatus), and between stages of development from different colonies. We did find that some developmental stages have distinct bacteria, confirming that each stage of development could have a specific microbiota. Our results show species are one of the factors that shape the bacterial community in these Camponotini ants. Additional studies of the intra-colonial microbiome of other hosts and across development may reveal additional clues about the function and importance of bacteria in colony recognition, individual and colony health, and nutritional upgrading.

Mortal combat between ants and caterpillars: an ominous threat to the endangered Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus) in the Florida Keys, USA

The federally endangered Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus) has reached critically low numbers. Exotic ants are a potential threat to H. a. ponceanus and other rare butterflies as they can attack immature stages. Ant surveys conducted in subtropical dry forests in Biscayne National Park documented ant species diversity and relative abundance. A caterpillar predator exclusion experiment using physical barriers in different combinations evaluated caterpillar survivorship of both early and late instar caterpillars exposed to different threats. Ant-caterpillar interactions were also documented by placing caterpillars on plants and observing physical interactions between caterpillars and ants. A total of 1418 ants comprising 25 ant species was captured and identified. In canopies of H. a. ponceanus host plants, 243 ants comprising 12 species were found. The four most common ants collected in the host plant canopies were Pseudomyrmex gracilis, Camponotus planatus, Cremastogaster ashmeadi, and Camponotus floridanus. The predator exclusion experiment revealed survivorship was significantly lower for early and late instar caterpillars without any physical barrier, as well as for early instars not protected by a mesh cage. Pseudomyrmex gracilis and C. floridanus were more aggressive towards caterpillars in comparison to other ant species; these two species ranked first and second in the “ant danger index” ranking predatory abilities of the four most common ant species. Pseudomyrmex gracilis is a common arboreal exotic ant in Biscayne National Park and presents a major threat to caterpillars during their earliest life stages.

Ant Communities along a Gradient of Plant Succession in Mexican Tropical Coastal Dunes

Most of Mexican coastal dunes from the Gulf of Mexico have been severely disturbed by human activities. In the state of Veracruz, the La Mancha Reserve is a very well preserved coastal community of sand dunes, where plant successional gradients are determined by topography. In this study we assessed species richness, diversity and faunal composition of ant assemblages in four plant physiognomies along a gradient of plant succession: grassland, shrub, deciduous forest and subdeciduous forest. Using standardized and non-standardized sampling methods we found a total of 121 ant species distributed in 41 genera and seven subfamilies. Grassland was the poorest site (21 species) and subdeciduous forest the richest (102 species). Seven species, with records in ≥10% of samples, accounted 40.8% of total species occurrences: Solenopsis molesta (21.6%), S. geminata (19.5%), Azteca velox (14%), Brachymyrmex sp. 1LM (11.7%), Dorymyrmex bicolor (11.2%), Camponotus planatus (11%) and Pheidole susannae (10.7%). Faunal composition between sites was highly different. Nearly 40% of all species were found in a single site. In all sites but grassland we found high abundances of several species typical of disturbed ecosystems, indicating high levels of disturbance. A species similarity analysis clustered forests in one group and grassland and shrub in another, both groups separated by more than 60% of dissimilarity. Similarity of ant assemblages suggests that deciduous and subdeciduous forests represent advanced stages of two different and independent successional paths.

Changes of a mutualistic network over time: reanalysis over a 10‐year period

We analyzed the structure of a multispecific network of interacting ants and plants bearing extrafloral nectaries recorded in 1990 and again in 2000 in La Mancha, Veracruz, Mexico. We assessed the replicability of the number of interactions found among species and also whether there had been changes in the network structure associated with appearance of new ant and plant species during that 10-year period. Our results show that the nested topology of the network was similar between sampling dates, group dissimilarity increased, mean number of interactions for ant species increased, the frequency distribution of standardized degrees reached higher values for plant species, more ant species and fewer plant species constituted the core of the more recent network, and the presence of new ant and plant species increased while their contribution to nestedness remained the same. Generalist species (i.e., those with the most links or interactions) appeared to maintain the stability of the network because the new species incorporated into the communities were linked to this core of generalists. Camponotus planatus was the most extreme generalist ant species (the one with the most links) in both networks, followed by four other ant species; but other species changed either their position along the continuum of generalists relative to specialists or their presence or absence within the network. Even though new species moved into the area during the decade between the surveys, the overall network structure remained unmodified.

MIAMI BLUE BUTTERFLY LARVAE (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE) AND ANTS (HYMEOPTERA: FORMICIDAE): NEW INFORMATION ON THE SYMBIONTS OF AN ENDANGERED TAXON

Historical, anecdotal records of the state-endangered Miami blue butterfly, Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri (Comstock & Huntington) (Lepidoptera), have mentioned larval associations with the Florida carpenter ant, Camponotus sp. Recent population studies confirm that C. t. bethunebakeri larvae associate with Camponotus floridanus (Buckley) as well as another member of the genus, Camponotus planatus (Roger). Additionally, caterpillars have been observed tended by Crematogaster ashmeadi (Emery), Forelius pruinosus (Roger), and Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fab.). Field surveys of remaining Miami blue habitat and recent butterfly reintroduction sites reveal other potential ant associates, Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille) and Paratrechina bourbonica (Forel), and a host of possible predaceous ant species. The corresponding conservation implications are discussed. Detailed information is also presented about larval ant-associated organs and their mediation of this facultative symbiosis.

Guards and thieves: antagonistic interactions between two ant species coexisting on the same ant‐plant

Abstract. 1. The simultaneous occupation of a rare understorey ant‐acacia Acacia mayana by its guarding ant Pseudomyrmex ferrugineus, and an apparent opportunist parasite of the mutualism, the generalist ant Camponotus planatus is described. The two ant species occur together in 30.7% of the 26 mature A. mayana plants [23.5% of all trees (n = 34)] surveyed, but C. planatus is absent from saplings below 1 m in height (n = 8).2. While P. ferrugineus shows behaviour compatible with effective host‐tree defence, C. planatus does not attack phytophagous insects and appears ineffective as an ant‐guard. Camponotus planatus does, however, occupy swollen thorns (pseudogalls) on the host tree, and harvests nectar from extrafloral leaf nectaries. It is proposed that C. planatus is a parasite of the Acacia–Pseudomyrmex mutualism.3. Camponotus planatus does not harvest the second trophic reward produced by the tree for its Pseudomyrmex ant‐guards, protein‐rich food (Beltian) bodies. Camponotus planatus lack the specialised larval adaptations needed to use Beltian bodies as brood food, suggesting that this resource is potentially more resistant to exploitation by generalists than extrafloral nectar.4. In competition for access to nectaries, C. planatus effectively displaced P. ferrugineus in 99.8% of encounters. These results suggest not only that C. planatus is a parasite of this mutualism, but also that it is able to effectively counteract the aggression shown to other insects by the resident ant‐guards.

The effect of wasps and ants on the reproductive success of the extrafloral nectaried plant Turnera ulmifolia (Turneraceae)

Summary 1. To assess the effectiveness of extrafloral nectaries (EFN) as a defensive mechanism of plants it is vital to use a multiple interactions approach and assess the contribution of all visiting species and their interactions. 2. The effect of EFN‐visiting ants (Camponotus planatus, C. abdominalis, Conomyrma sp., Crematogaster brevispinosa, Forelius sp., Pseudomyrmex sp.) and wasps (Polistes instabilis, Polybia occidentalis) on the reproductive success (estimated as the number of reproductive structures) of Turnera ulmifolia (Turneraceae) was experimentally evaluated. Herbivory effects were tested using Euptoieta hegesia larvae (caterpillars), which is the main herbivore of this plant. The study was done in a coastal sand dune scrub in Veracruz, México. 3. Wasps and ants were selectively excluded using a two‐factor design (Wasps, Ants) block design, both factors with two levels (absent, present). The response variables were an index of herbivory per branch and the number of buds, flowers, ripe and unripe fruit per plant, and the seed/fruit ratio per branch. 4. After a week of placing the larvae on experimental plants, they were significantly more frequent on plants where wasps and ants had been experimentally excluded. 5. Wasp presence was associated significantly with greater numbers of buds, flowers, ripe fruit and seeds. When acting separately, wasps and ants exerted a positive effect in decreasing herbivory levels and increasing the number of unripe fruit; when acting together, however, their effect was not additive. 6. This is the first demonstration of a positive effect on the plant by wasps associated with EFN. The ecological implication of this finding is that the function of EFN and the ultimate effects on a plant will probably depend on the array of organisms visiting its EFN.

<I>Caenocholax fenyesi</I> (Strepsiptera: Myrmecolacidae) Parasitic in <I>Camponotus planatus</I> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Mexico: Is This the Original Host?

The male of Caenocholax fenyesi Pierce (Strepsiptera) is widespread in South America, but no host records are known as the specimens examined were free-living males that came into traps. In southern USA C. fenyesi was found to parasitize the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis wagneri Santschi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). We found a nest of the carpenter ant, Camponotus planatus Roger, in Veracruz, Mexico to be parasitized by C. fenyesi. This is the first record of a host of C. fenyesi from the Neotropics. At the same location Pierce (1909) found the type species of C. fenyesi, but there were no host records. As our findings were from the same location, we speculate whether C. planatus is the endemic host of C. fenyesi. If so, did C. fenyesi arrive in southern USA parasitic on C. planatus, and move to an exotic host, S. wagneri in an alien enviroment? We also synonomize Myrmecolax ogloblini Luna de Carvalho and Caenocholax brasiliensis Oliveira & Kogan from Brazil with C. fenyesi, based on the unique structure of the aedeagus of the latter.

Queen number and sociality in insects

List of contributors 1. Opportunities and pitfalls in co-operative reproduction 2. Reproductive structure and reproductive roles in colonies of eusocial insects 3. Queen - queen conflicts in polygynous societies: mutual tolerance and reproductive skew 4. Sex ratio variation in polygynous ants 5. The effects of polygny and colony life history on optimal sex investment 6. Genetic relatedness and its components in polygynous colonies of social insects 7. The maintenance of high genetic relatedness in multi-queen colonies of social wasps 8. The evolutiuon of polygyny in primitively eusocial polistine wasps with special rerference to the genus Ropalidia 9. Serial polygyny in the primitively eusocial wasp Ropalidia marginata: implications for the evolution of sociality 10. Multiple - foundress associations in sweat bees 11. Monogyny and polygyny in ponerine ants with or without queens 12. Ecological determinants of queen number in ants 13. Distribution and ecology of queen number in ants of the genus Myrmica 14. Monogyny and polygyny in Formica ants: the result of alternative dispersal tactics 15. Queen - queen interactions in polygynous ants 16. Kin discrimination and division of labour among matrilines in the polygynous carpenter ant, Camponotus planatus 17. Selective pressures on pleometrosis and secondary polygyny: a comparison of termites and ants Glossary Author index Subject index

Effect of different ant species on reproductive fitness of Schomburgkia tibicinis (Orchidaceae).

We studied the effect of four ant species on the reproductive fitness (number of fruits produced) of Schomburgkia tibicinis (Orchidaceae), in the coast of Yucatan, Mexico. Ants forage day and night for the nectar produced by the reproductive structures of the orchid. Ant size is: Camponotus planatus (3-4 mm), C. abdominalis (4-6 mm), C. rectangularis (7-9 mm), and Ectatomma tuberculatum (9-12 mm). The results indicate that ant efficiency in disrupting the activities of the main herbivore, (Stethobaris sp./Coleoptera) varies, and that it is apparently related to ant size, three tendencies are clear: (a) lowest fruit production and highest inflorescence damage are significantly associated with the smaller ants and the control; (b) maximum fruit production and minimum inflorescence damage are significantly associated with the larger ant species; and (c) the increase in ant size tends to have a positive effect on the plant's reproductive output (less dead spikes and more matured fruits). We discuss ant effect on the pollination of the orchid, and emphasize that ant presence should not be associated, in general, with benefit to plants.

The Evolutionary Significance of Extrafloral Nectar Production by Costus Woodsonii (Zingiberaceae): An Experimental Analysis of Ant Protection

SUMMARY (1) Observations and experiments were carried out in central Panama to examine the hypothesis that ants increase the reproductive success of Costus woodsonii. (2) The plant secretes extrafloral nectar from bracts on the inflorescence and the nectar is harvested by ants. (3) The fly Euxesta sp., a specialist on Costus woodsonii, oviposits beneath the bracts on immature fruit, and its larvae destroy the seeds and arils. (4) In both the dry and wet seasons, plants with ants experimentally removed had a higher rate of fly-oviposition and produced only one-third as many seeds as control plants with ants. (5) The ant Camponotus planatus was dominant in the dry season, and had less influence on seed production than had Wasmannia auropunctata, the wet-season dominant. (6) Among dry-season control plants, the probability of fruit maturation was significantly correlated with an index of ant activity based on the consistency of ant occupation. (7) As a consequence of larval damage to the arils, seeds from plants with ants excluded had a lower probability of dispersal in both dry and wet seasons than those from plants with ants.

Compact Carpenter Ant (proposed common name), Camponotus planatus (Roger) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The compact carpenter ant, Camponotus planatus (Roger), although primarily an arboreal species, is increasingly becoming recognized as a structural pest in Florida. This common name is still unofficial. A smaller, more "compact" and close relative of the Florida carpenter ant complex (Camponotus floridanus and C. tortuganus) and often found living in close proximity with them, the compact carpenter ant is the subject of numerous inquiries to pest control operators in the South Florida area. This document is EENY-189, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: January 2001.
 EENY189/IN346: Compact Carpenter Ant (proposed common name),Camponotus planatus (Roger) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (ufl.edu)