Hymenoptera Formicidae Research Articles

Population dynamics of hymenoptera formicidae in relation of edaphological factor of Hazaribag sanctuary, Jharkhand, India

In a sanctuary insects have great role in the nutrient cycling and they play significant role in the food structure of terrestrial bird community. Research contributions on forest fauna of India comparison to that of other parts of the world are inadequate.Besides, this insect community plays an important role in the feeding behaviour of bird’s sanctuary. This paper deals with hymenopteran insect population fluctuation in Hazaribag sanctuary in relation to certain edaphological factors. At the same time certain environment factors were studied for twelve months to see their effects on hymenopteran population.

Morphometrics of Caste System and Colony Structure of the Asian Weaver Ant, Oecophylla Smaragdina Fabricius, 1775 (Hymenoptera Formicidae) from Cacao Farms in Luzon Island, Philippines

Morphometrics of Caste System and Colony Structure of the Asian Weaver Ant, Oecophylla Smaragdina Fabricius, 1775 (Hymenoptera Formicidae) from Cacao Farms in Luzon Island, Philippines

Anthills: stressor or opportunity for plant assemblage diversity? Evidence from Mediterranean Dasypyretum grasslands

We explored the structure of plant assemblages that settles around the anthills of a guild of Hymenoptera Formicidae (Messor wasmanni Krausse 1910, Tapinoma nigerrimum Nylander 1856 and Aphaenogaster spinosa Emery 1878), observable in urban grasslands dominated by Dasypyrum villosum (Rome, Central Italy). Since it is known that ants act as a disturbing factor on plant assemblages of grasslands, our hypothesis was that vegetation structures suffer from some stressorsthat affect, in this plant association, the dominant plant structure. We compared the plant assemblages observed in the plots of the anthills with the control grassland assemblages using a diversity/dominance diagram. We recorded 63 plant taxa. The average number of plant species was found to be significantly lower in anthill plots than in control grassland plots. In anthill plots, dominant plant species (Polygonum romanum, Poa trivialis Vulpia myuros, Aira elegantissima and Vulpia ligustica) have been found to be different from control grassland plots (Convolvolus arvensis, Dasypyrum villosum, Poa trivialis and Sheradia arvensis). Anthill plant assemblages were found to be significantly different (One-way PERMANOVA) and poorer in terms of species richness, less diversified, and with a reduced species turnover than control grassland plots. Whittaker plot analysis seems to show that the plant assemblages of the control, with greater evenness, emphasize a stressed condition in anthill plant assemblages. Non-metric multidimensional scaling shows a set of species strictly linked to anthills. Our data seem to confirm the role of ants as a stressor in the plant assemblage structures of Mediterranean urban grasslands. However, our results also show that the peculiar ant nest conditions may favor plant species less represented in the Dasypyretum grasslands (i.e. Polygonum romanum) or even absent in this plant assemblage (i.e. Aira elegantissima, Cynodon dactylon and Poa annua), thus increasing the overall local plant diversity.

Unwelcome guests at farms breeding the black soldier fly,Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera Stratiomyidae)

Livestock farms represent a source of attraction for other species, which find food resources on the animals themselves, in the food supplied to them, in their manure, etc. Insect farms too can suffer infestation by different organisms living on substrates or behaving as parasites and/or predators. Breeding of the black soldier fly (BSF),Hermetia illucens (L.) requires organic materials which are attractive for other arthropods (commensals, mycetophages, scavengers, etc.). During recent years, the breeding system adopted at the Di.Pro.Ve.S. of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza (Italy), has suffered the presence of the following ‘pests’:Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera Phoridae),Muscina stabulans (Fallén) (Diptera Muscidae),Monomorium pharaonis (L.) (Hymenoptera Formicidae) andCaloglyphus berlesei (Michael) (Astigmata Acaridae). The use of fermented fruit, vegetables or of an artificial diet to induce egg laying proved to be attractive for small flies such asM. scalaris. This species also takes advantage of the aqueous sugar solution used to feed BSF adults. Infestations byM. scalaris are worrying because its larvae can compete efficiently with those of the BSF in substrate colonisation. Likewise,M. stabulans can be attracted by the substrates, even though this species has not shown the same levels of high competitiveness as the previously mentioned species.M. pharaonis was observed to prey on eggs and newborn BSF larvae. Lastly, infestations by the miteC. berlesei were detected when conditions for the larval development of the BSF were not optimal. This species could also be harmful for the workers involved in the breeding. The establishment of insect and mite populations inside BSF rearing boxes suggests that a careful analysis should be made based on the location of the breeding facility and a series of measures should of course be adopted when this kind of structure and activities are designed and realised.

Selective predation by the White-browed Warbler (Myiothlypis leucoblephara), a Neotropical understorey insectivorous bird

ABSTRACT The diet composition and feeding preference of Myiothlypis leucoblephara (White-browed Warbler, Parulidae) were investigated in an area of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil, based on fecal samples and availability of field arthropods. Hymenoptera Formicidae and Coleoptera were the predominant taxa in the diet, corresponding to more than 70% of all items. Myiothlypis leucoblephara exhibited a preference for prey types, mainly Formicidae and Coleoptera (λ = 0.123, p = 0.01), which are the proportionally more consumed taxa when compared to other types of prey. The species also showed preference for prey sizes, with arthropods of the size classes between 2 mm-6 mm being proportionally more consumed (λ = 0.214, p = 0.001). Although it forages predominantly on the ground, M. leucoblephara also preys on arthropods regularly on the foliage, which allows expanding the range of substrates exploited as well as obtaining different types of prey, probably favoring the differential consumption. On the other hand, the preference for intermediate size prey suggests foraging optimization, consuming feeding items with high energy-intake rate in relation to costs of predation. Whether the preference results from active selection by the birds or simply by the difficulty of finding less abundant items needs to be investigated.

Pest insects in natural and sown pastures of Paraguay

Paraguayan livestock production is based mainly on the use of natural and sown pastures as basic cattle feed. Several genera of harmful insects reported in forage grasses can cause damage to both yield and quality of forage. A review of the insect collection of the Plant Protection Area of the Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, National University of Asunción was carried out, in order to prepare a list of insects with incidence in grasses. Then random sampling of different species of Poaceae showing insect damage in open areas of paddocks grazed by cattle was carried out during 2014‒2017 in all Regions of Paraguay. Thirteen different genera and species of pastures were collected and 20 species of insects were identified in the following orders: Hymenoptera (Formicidae family: 5 species); Isoptera (Termitidae: 3 species); Hemiptera (Cercopidae: 6 species; Lygaeidae: 1 species); Lepidoptera (Noctuidae: 2 species); and Orthoptera (Acrididae: 3 species). The most common forms of damage observed in pastures were: leaf consumption (25%), leaf cutting (25%) and leaf yellowing-drying (35%).

New ant species of Myrmicaria Saunders, 1842 (Hymenoptera Formicidae) from Senegal, a second species with subpetiolar process in this genus

New ant species of Myrmicaria Saunders, 1842 (Hymenoptera Formicidae) from Senegal, a second species with subpetiolar process in this genus

Artropoda yang berasosiasi pada ekosistem tanaman lada

Association of Arthropod on Pepper Plant Ecosystem. Ecosystem management of pepper between cover crops, Arachis pintoii, cropping system with corn, soybean and limited weeding. The objectives of this research was to find out biodiversity of arthropod on the paper ecosystem. This experiment was conducted in Lampung since May to September 2002. They are divided 5 treatments they are paper with A. pintoii, pepper with corn, pepper with soybean, pepper with limited weeding and control. The randomize blok design was used 44 kind of arthropods. The status of arthropod are: fitofag (47.73%), omnivorus (6.82%), natural enemies (34.09%) and pollination (11.36%). Distribution of each species was various at each treatment, between 26-34 species. The lowest population was found on pepper with corn, while on the highest population were occurred on the pepper with A. pintoii and control. The insect population of Acrididae, Tetrigidae, Grylidae (Orthroptera), Blattidae, Drosophillidae and Farmicidae always higher than an other insect. In this research were found 10 ordo of arthropod. Hymenoptera (Formicidae) and Araneida are dominant of arthropod and distributed at all treatment. Arthropod at pepper plant was the most abundant at pepper plan with A. pintoii. In the pepper standing plant it were only found three other, they are Hymenoptera, Araneida and Hemiptera. Beside at pepper plant and pepper standing plant, some of arthropod was found associated with A. pintoii, corn, soybean weed. Other of Orthoptera mainly grasshopper was dominating at all of plant.

Rediscovery and redescription of Laelaps lignicola G. & R. Canestrini, a remarkable myrmecophilous mite of the genus Cosmolaelaps Berlese(Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from Italy.

Laelaps lignicola G. & R. Canestrini, 1882 is redescribed on the basis of numerous adults and deutonymphs, collected from Italy more than a century after its description. Despite its setiform setae without a discernible asymmetric swelling, this species fits the current concept of the genus Cosmolaelaps Berlese for all remaining diagnostic characters. Males of L. lignicola and Cosmolaelaps vacuus (Michael) share the presence of a basal process bearing seta av on telefemur II. This attribute is apparently not described in other laelapid mites. Also, males of L. lignicola are similar to those of some European species of Cosmolaelaps in having a distinct masticatory ridge on the fixed digit of chelicera. The ecological preference for decaying wood microhabitats, where L. lignicola is closely associated with Lasius emarginatus (Olivier) (Hymenoptera Formicidae), also suggests a close affinity with Cosmolaelaps species. Consequently, this species is provisionally placed in Cosmolaelaps and the new combination C. lignicolus (G. & R. Canestrini, 1882) comb. nov. is proposed.

Three new and important insect pests recorded for the first time in Colombian plantations

Subsequent to 1950, commercially propagated and non-native trees, including Pinus, Eucalyptus and Cupressus species in Colombian plantations, have been damaged by several native defoliating insects, residing mainly in the Lepidoptera (Geometridae), Phasmatodea (Heteronemiidae) and the Hymenoptera (Formicidae). We report on the relatively recent appearance of three important and damaging new insect pests of plantation-grown Pinus and Eucalyptus spp. in Colombia, two of which are not native to this country. These include Monalonion velezangeli (Hemiptera: Miridae), Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and Pineus boerneri (Hemiptera: Adelgidae). This report provides information on the basic biology of these new pests, their hosts, areas of occurrence, likely origin and prospects for their management in the future.

Ovipositional behaviour of two mango fruit fly species (Diptera Tephritidae) in relation to <i>Oecophylla</i> cues (Hymenoptera Formicidae) as compared to natural conditions without ant cues

The tritrophic interactions between mangoes (Mangifera indica), two frugivorous fly species of great economic significance, Bactrocera invadens and Ceratitis cosyra, and weaver ants (Oecophylla longinoda) were studied in Benin. We investigated whether Oecophylla cues affect B. invadens and C. cosyra oviposition behaviour compared to natural conditions. Results show that on un-marked fruits, both C. cosyra and B. invadens adults have different active periods and length of oviposition, both under laboratory and field conditions. Compared to their landing on unmarked fruits at 7h after confinement, 46% of B. invadens refrained from landing on fruits marked with Oecophylla cues, while C. cosyra reduced its landing by 73%. In contrast to the un-marked fruit, both tephritid species significantly reduce oviposition duration and oviposited less in fruits when weaver ants had patrolled on them before. Moreover, no significant difference was detected between C. cosyra and B. invadens, in number of pupae produced, when confined with ant-marked fruits. Ecological and behavioural implications of our observations are discussed.Keywords: Mango fruit flies, oviposition duration, predator avoidance, weaver ants, biocontrol.

STUDIES ON INTERSPECIFIC AGGRESSION AMONG RED WOOD ANT SPECIES. FORMICA RUFA L. VS FORMICA LUGUBRIS ZETT. (HYMENOPTERA FORMICIDAE)

SUMMARY Interspecific relationships between members of Formica rufa L. and Formica lugubris Zett. (Hymenoptera Formicidae) belonging to geographycally isolated colonies were analysed both in laboratory and field situations. Particular attention was directed towards the elements of conflict behaviour. In the field the incidence of fighting was higher than in the laboratory situation, with F. lugubris the more aggressive species. In the laboratory paired ants engaged in a somewhat atypical interspecific conflict. In fact, the patterns of behaviour clearly show elements of ritualization, such as gaster flexing without squirting formic acid and not followed by overt attacks. Overt attacks have been observed only in 40% of contacts and they were frequently interrupted and shifted to mutual investigation as in intraspecific encounters. Moreover, where fighting occurred, no killing was observed during the experimental time. It seems therefore that conflicting behaviour is generated when these two related species...

A Survey of Roadside Soil Arthropod Communities from Three Elevations in Mauritius

This study was carried out in Mauritius during summer from November 2012 to April 2013. The objectives of this study were to quantify the species richness and diversity, abundance and biomass of soil arthropod from roadside trees found at three different elevations in Mauritius. Soil arthropods were collected utilizing pitfall traps made of plastic cups at three different elevations (Flic en Flac, 5 m; Rose-Hill, 221 m; and Mare aux Vacoas, 569 m). Traps were placed among Casuarina equisetifolia (5 m), Dictyosperma album (221 m) and Pinus sylvestris (569 m) trees. A total of 18422 arthropods were sampled of which 10681 individuals were sampled at 5 m, 5216 individuals at 221 m and 2525 individuals at 569 m. The abundant soil arthropods were Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (54.0%) and Coleoptera (Nitidulidae) (32.7%). The alpha diversity of soil arthropods varied between elevations [(5 m, 0.907), (221 m, 0.727), (569 m, 1.54). Soil arthropod species evenness was highest at 221m (0.77) followed by 5 m (0.69) and lowest at 569 m (0.53). Formicidae was abundant at 221 m (91.4%) while Anisolabidae (38.6%) was abundant at 569 m. Significant difference in weight between elevation (p<0.05) and significant differences in weight and abundance with bait types (p<0.05) was observed. This study can be useful in determining soil arthropods and their plant host specificity as such data has implications for biological control as well as for collection of specific insects. Moreover, this study also has implications for town planners with respect to planting roadside trees and their ensuing edaphic communities for managing insect pests.

Space use, foraging success and competitive relationships in Formica cinerea (Hymenoptera Formicidae) on sand dunes in southern Finland

The foraging strategy of a colony of social insects, e.g. ants, is made up of simple individual decisions being influenced by a series of factors like climatic conditions, properties and availability of food and competitive context. We studied the use of space, foraging success and competitive relationships in Formica cinerea around its nests in field conditions in the absence and in the presence of artificial food sources on sand dunes in Finland. Generally, the abundance of foragers was low around colonies. Sources in close proximity were mostly discovered. However, the fact that distant sources were sometimes preferred over discovered close sources during mass exploitation appeared to confer a certain sub-optimality upon the foraging strategy of the species. The use of baits allowed us to analyse the species’ competitive position as well. Generally, rivals could dominate sources far from the nest of F. cinerea, thus a facultative inhibition zone was established around the studied colonies. Although, mostly dominant in contests, F. cinerea could give up food sources to rivals if these were already gathered on the bait. The mixture of submissive and aggressive features, which characterise F. cinerea allows this species to adapt to the current competitive context and the availability of food sources.

Successional patterns of the insect fauna on a pig carcass in southern Italy and the role of Crematogaster scutellaris (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) as a carrion invader

AbstractThe sarcosaprophagous fauna plays a key role in organic matter decomposition. Moreover, the biological, ecological and behavioral specificities of the taxa are useful to reconstruct the decay history of a corpse or carcass, often back to the lethal event. Here we report the seasonal succession of the insect fauna on a pig carcass exposed in a rural area in Calabria (southern Italy) during summer 2007 and 2008. The aim is to identify and qualitatively assess the major taxa of forensic importance in this region. The principal fly invaders were Lucilia caesar (L.), L. sericata (Meigen, 1826), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Sarcophaga (Meigen, 1826) spp. and Amobia (Robineau‐Desvoidy, 1830) spp., Musca domestica (L.) and Muscina stabulans (Fallen, 1817). The primary beetle species collected in summer belonged to Dermestidae, Dermestes maculatus (De Geer, 1774) and Cleridae, Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775). This paper also examined the ecological role of ants in the insect succession and describes the evidence of skin injuries directly inflicted by the acrobat ant Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) scutellaris (Olivier, 1791) (Hymenoptera Formicidae) while feeding on pig carrion. Ants belonging to two other species were also collected: Camponotus aethiops (Latreille, 1798) and Tetramorium semilaeve (André, 1881). Ants can invade carcasses and corpses directly, disrupting blowfly egg laying or preying on their larvae. Our data on the carrion faunal composition and role of ants as invaders should be useful for further forensic cases in Calabria (southern Italy). This is among the few reports of ants as forensically relevant species.

A catalogue of the Pseudomyrmecinae ants type specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

This catalogue lists the type specimens of 37 species of Pseudomyrmecinae ants deposited in the Hymenoptera Formicidae collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, which holds types of the only two genera that occur in the Neotropics, Pseudomyrmex Lund and Myrcidris Ward. We record the label information, condition of the specimens, nomenclatural changes, type status, and provide an index of the listed taxa.

Diet of the Invasive FrogLithobates catesbeianus(Shaw, 1802) (Anura: Ranidae) in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Based on the stomach content analysis of 113 individuals, the diet of the invasive amphibian Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) was examined in four sites located within the municipality of Viçosa (20°45′S and 42°51′W), state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from August 2005 to March 2007. The effects of frog size and sexual maturity on stomach contents were determined. Prey items were grouped according to their primary habitat, being classified as aquatic, terrestrial and amphibious. In general, the most frequent prey categories were post-metamorphic Anura, Diplopoda, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera Formicidae and Araneae. The diet of adults of both sexes was similar, but differed from the diet of young frogs. Terrestrial prey were most abundant both in number and occurrence. For adult Bullfrogs, amphibious prey were most significant in volume. There was a significant correlation between prey and predator sizes, as well as a greater consumption of native anurans by larger Bullfrogs. The results confirmed that Bullfrogs have a generalist feeding habit that can have important negative effects on native amphibian communities in environments occupied by this invasive species.

Hábitos alimentares de Basileuterus culicivorus (Aves: Parulidae) em uma área de Mata Atlântica secundária, sudeste do Brasil

Os hábitos alimentares de Basileuterus culicivorus, um insetívoro de sub-bosque forrageador de folhagem, foram estudados com base em amostras fecais e artrópodes de folhagem coletados em uma área de Mata Atlântica secundária no sudeste do Brasil. Foram identificados 220 itens alimentares em 32 amostras fecais, todos artrópodes. Os grupos de artrópodes mais representativos na dieta, compreendendo quase 80% dos itens, foram Coleoptera, Araneae, larvas e Hymenoptera não Formicidae respectivamente, sendo que Araneae e Coleoptera foram também os táxons mais abundantes encontrados na folhagem. Basileuterus culicivorus apresentou preferência alimentar tanto para os tipos de artrópodes quanto para o tamanho das presas consumidas, sendo que Hymenoptera (Formicidae e não Formicidae) e larvas de insetos e presas maiores do que 4 mm foram os artrópodes mais consumidos em relação aos encontrados no ambiente. O consumo de itens maiores parece ser uma forma de otimizar a obtenção de energia pela espécie.

Leaf-cuttings ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex of Paraguay (Hymenoptera Formicidae)

The 22 taxa of leaf-cutting ants which occur in Paraguay are reviewed. Diagnosis of the major workers is given, and notes on nesting, foraging, and other behavioral traits is given. The distributions of each of the taxa are given in maps. The behavioral and ecological diversity of the fauna is summarized, and discussed in terms of species packing in communities.

TEMPORAL RESPONSES OF SOIL INVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES TO DRAUGHT STRESS IN TWO SEMIARID ECOSYSTEMS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

the soil invertebrate community of two Mediterranean ecosystems was studied on Milos Island, in the Aegean Sea: one a Mediterranean-type ecosystem and the other a dune ecosystem. Sampling of macrofauna was carried out for 19 months using pitfall traps. For mesofauna, 25 × 25 cm samples of litter were collected and processed in berlese-tullgern funnels. Specimens were identified to class or order level except for Coleoptera and Hymenoptera Formicidae, which were identified to family level, and the slugs, which included a number of families. Some taxa were identified to species level. Environmental data were also collected. the dominant groups were beetles, ants, and spiders. Diversity and evenness were low in spring and summer and high in autumn and winter in the dune site, and more or less at the same level throughout the year in the Mediterranean-type site. the three most common phenological patterns in both sites were a spring, a summer, and an autumn and winter peak. the composition of the fauna seemed...