Tramp Ants Research Articles

They arrived and don’t stop coming: an update on the distribution of exotic ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in continental Ecuador

We present an updated list of introduced ants to continental Ecuador, and compile records of occurrence, as well as map the distribution of 15 exotic species. We analyzed specimens in entomological collections and data from AntWeb, GBIF and iNaturalist. Among these, we add two new records for the country: Cardiocondyla mauritanica Forel, 1980 and Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius, 1793). The former is also the first record for South America, while the finding of the latter shows how little we know about introduced tramp ants. In addition, we add site records for nine species: Cardiocondyla emeryi Forel, 1881, Cardiocondyla minutior Forel, 1899, Cardiocon­dyla wroughtonii (Forel, 1890), Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868), Monomorium floricola (Jerdon, 1851), Monomo­rium pharaonis (Linnaeus, 1758), Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802), Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793), and Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander, 1846). Based on our previous fieldwork observations, it appears that our understanding of exotic species richness is still in its early stages.

DESKRIPSI SEMUT PADA HABITAT TERTUTUP DAN TERBUKA DI KAWASAN HUTAN KOTA ARBORETUM CIBUBUR JAKARTA TIMUR

Urban forest is a special area in anurban planning that plays a role in preserving the environment, as a recreation area and as one of the lungs of the city which helps in maintaining the health of city air. The existence of ants in the urban forest plays a role in maintaining the stability of the urban forest ecosystem which generally has both open and closed habitats. The purpose was to provide information regarding the description of ant species in open and closed habitats in the urban forest of the Cibubur Arboretum, East Jakarta. This research was conducted in the Cibubur Arboretum City Forest, East Jakarta. Sampling was carried out from 5─12 December 2022 using a pitfall trap which was placed in each habitat with a distance between traps of 5 m. As many as 14 ant species are tramp ants which have high adaptability to environmental disturbances. Of the 14 species found, 12 species were not found in closed habitats, namely, Camponotus arrogans and Polycharis becarrii. Pheidole parva was found in open habitats, meanwhile, in closed habitats, Odontoponera denticulata was found in the highest number.

Anthropogenic Influence on the Distribution of the Longlegged Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

The longlegged ant Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith) is a highly invasive tramp ant species known for its deleterious effects on native ecosystems. While tramp ants are associated with human activity, information on how different intensities of human activity affect their distribution is limited. This study investigated how anthropogenic activities affected the distribution of A. gracilipes in Penang, a tropical island in northern peninsular Malaysia. Three study sites (Youth Park, Sungai Ara, and Bukit Jambul/Relau) were selected, containing four sub-locations corresponding to different levels of human activity (low, moderate, high, and very high), determined by the average number of passersby observed over 30 min. Baited index cards were placed at each sub-location to evaluate ant abundance and distribution. The results demonstrated that A. gracilipes worker abundance was highest in areas of moderate human activity, as opposed to areas with low and higher human activity. The low abundance of A. gracilipes in comparatively undisturbed localities may be attributed to unsuitable microclimate, lack of propagule pressure, and diminished honeydew availability. In contrast, its exclusion from more urbanized localities could be explained by high interspecific competition with other tramp species and the absence of preferred nesting sites.

Biology, Ecology, and Management of the Invasive Longlegged Ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes.

The longlegged ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) is one of the most damaging invasive tramp ants globally. It is generally found between latitudes 27°N and 27°S in Asia, although it has been introduced to other continents. Its native range remains debatable, but it is believed to be in Southeast Asia. Anoplolepis gracilipes invasion has many serious ecological consequences, especially for native invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant communities, altering ecosystem dynamics and functions. We examine and synthesize the literature about this species' origin and distribution, impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, biology and ecology, chemical control, and potential biocontrol agents. We highlight emerging research needs on the origin and invasion history of this species, its reproductive mode, its relationship with myrmecophiles, and its host-microbial interactions, and we discuss future research directions.

The ant associates of Lycaenidae butterfly caterpillars – revisited

Based on a global compilation of data on ant associates of 523 Lycaenidae species, a synthesis is attempted as to which ants participate in these interactions. Ants from 63 genera have thus far been observed as visitors of facultative myrmecophiles or as hosts of obligate myrmecophiles among the Lycaenidae. Over 98% of records come from nectarivorous and trophobiotic ants in just three subfamilies, viz. Formicinae, Myrmicinae and Dolichoderinae, with the genera Crematogaster and Camponotus occupying the top ranks. Accumulation analysis suggests that rather few ant genera remain to be added to the list of associates. The representation of ant genera as attendants of lycaenid immatures is related to their global species richness, but with some notable exceptions. Ants that form ecologically dominant, large, long-lived colonies are over-represented as hosts of obligate myrmecophiles. The taxonomic diversity of lycaenid-ant associations is highest in the Oriental and Australian region, and lowest in the Neotropical and Afrotropical region. Among tropical African lycaenids, this is due to two butterfly lineages (genus Lepidochrysops and subfamily Aphnaeinae) that have massively radiated in the Neogene, but mostly maintaining their general affiliations with either Camponotus or Crematogaster ants, respectively. Many tropical and subtropical lycaenids nowadays form associations also with invasive alien tramp ants, giving rise to novel mutualistic interactions.

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Cabo Verde Islands

The Cabo Verde Islands, a tropical Atlantic archipelago west of Senegal, West Africa, is the southernmost part of Macaronesia, a biogeographic subregion that also includes the archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. We surveyed ants at 238 sites on the nine inhabited islands of Cabo Verde, collecting a total of 33 ant species, including 11 previously unreported species. Published, previously unpublished, and new records of ants from Cabo Verde now total 39 species. Only three species, Camponotus occasus, Cardiocondyla n. sp., and Monomorium boltoni, are known Cabo Verde endemics, though three unidentified species may also be endemics. An additional 24 species are apparently native to the Afrotropical and/or Palearctic biogeographic realms. Most are likely to be native to Cabo Verde, including Brachyponera sennaarensis, a widespread and conspicuous ant in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, well known for its painful sting. Nine of the Afrotropical/Palearctic species are well known tramp ants, widely spread around the world through human commerce: Cardiocondyla emeryi, Hypoponera punctatissima, Hypoponera ragusai, Pheidole megacephala, Strumigenys membranifera, Technomyrmex pallipes, Tetramorium caldarium, Tetramorium simillimum, and Trichomyrmex destructor. It is unclear which of these species are native to Cabo Verde and which are exotic. Seven ant species thought to originate in the Indomalay and/or Australasian realms are almost certainly exotic to Cabo Verde: Cardiocondyla obscurior, Monomorium floricola, Paratrechina longicornis, Strumigenys emmae, Syllophopsis sechellensis, Tapinoma melanocephalum, and Tetramorium bicarinatum. Finally, two species, Brachymyrmex cordemoyi and Solenopsis globularia, are the only ants found in Cabo Verde known to be exotic New World species. Records of six previously reported species, Cardiocondyla nigra, Carebara vorax, Lepisiota capensis, Pheidole punctulata, Solenopsis innota, and Technomyrmex albipes, appear to be misidentifications of Cardiocondyla n. sp., Solenopsis orbula, Lepisiota canescens, Pheidole megacephala, Solenopsis globularia, and Technomyrmex pallipes, respectively. Tramp ants, which are extremely common in Cabo Verde, have probably had a great impact on the endemic and native ants. In fact, M. boltoni may now be extinct, exterminated by P. megacephala, a highly destructive invasive ant species, which was the most commonly collected ant in Cabo Verde. Numerous Cabo Verde residents reported being attacked by another invasive tramp ant, Trichomyrmex destructor. Given the number of species we found two or fewer times (14 of 39 species), we expect that multiple ant species probably remain undetected.

Cytoplasmic incompatibility between Old and New World populations of a tramp ant.

Reproductive manipulation by endosymbiotic Wolbachia can cause unequal inheritance, allowing the manipulator to spread and potentially impacting evolutionary dynamics in infected hosts. Tramp and invasive species are excellent models to study the dynamics of host-Wolbachia associations because introduced populations often diverge in their microbiomes after colonizing new habitats, resulting in infection polymorphisms between native and introduced populations. Ants are the most abundant group of insects on earth, and numerous ant species are classified as highly invasive. However, little is known about the role of Wolbachia in these ecologically dominant insects. Here, we provide the first description of reproductive manipulation by Wolbachia in an ant. We show that Old and New World populations of the cosmotropic tramp ant Cardiocondyla obscurior harbor distinct Wolbachia strains, and that only the Old World strain manipulates host reproduction by causing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in hybrid crosses. By uncovering a symbiont-induced mechanism of reproductive isolation in a social insect, our study provides a novel perspective on the biology of tramp ants and introduces a new system for studying the evolutionary consequences of CI.

Non-native and Invasive Nylanderia Crazy Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World: Integrating Genomics to Enhance Taxonomic Preparedness

AbstractInvasive species have devastating economic and ecological impacts worldwide, but proactive monitoring programs are rare on the global stage. By definition, tramp ants are associated with disturbance and human-mediated dispersal, making them especially concerning invasive threats. A proactive—rather than reactive—approach to monitoring for, preventing, and managing invasive species depends on taxonomic preparedness, which enables rapid and accurate identification. Emerging tools and technologies, including genomic barcoding and interactive online keys, can aid in species delimitation and diagnosis. However, resolving tramp species’ identities remains the fundamental first step in invasive species management because diagnostic tools cannot be developed and disseminated until species names are stable. Diagnosis of morphologically difficult species requires basic knowledge of species boundaries, biogeography, and phylogenetic relationships. This review comprehensively synthesizes information available for 15 known and five potential tramp ant species in Nylanderia (Emery) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): a globally distributed genus of over 130 described species, many of which are only diagnosable by subtle morphological characters. Nylanderia records were drawn from published literature, specimen databases, and museum collections to compile known distributions, biology, natural history, and taxonomy for each species. We review existing resources for visualizing known geographic ranges and high-resolution images of ants globally and encourage the use of these types of tools in support of invasive species diagnosis and distribution tracking. Finally, we discuss how taxonomic and life history information can be used synergistically with genomic and digital technology to develop tools for identification of these, and other emerging invasive insect species.

The Dominance of Tramps Ants in The Settlement Area of Semarang, Central Java

The high rate of urbanization in Semarang have caused the land conversion from forest into various human need spaces. The land conversion is not only affect the life of humans but also the animals, including ants. The objectives of this study were to examine the dominance of tramp ants in the settlement area of Semarang City. The method used was the bait trap method using chicken intestine as a bait. Samples of ants were collected from four habitats, i.e., waste disposal area, traditional markets, house area, and urban parks. This study found four dominant ants, i.e., Anoplolepis gracilipes, Paratrechina longicornis, Solenopsis geminata and Monomorium pharaonis. Two of them were categorized as tramp ants (Anoplolepis gracillipes and Paratrechina longicornis). The highest diversity of ants was found in house (H'= 2.72). The waste area tends to be an ideal habitat for particular species, which was proved by the low value of Simpson's dominance index (iD = 0.06) and a high value of evenness index (E=0 0.89). This study provides new information about tramp ants population as pest in urban area. The findings would be beneficial for controlling the population of tramp ants, which are disturbing humans in the settlement area.

Invasions of four South-American tramp ants: a systematic review

The invasion and spread of four native South American ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Linepithema humile, Solenopsis invicta, Wasmannia auropunctata and Paratrechina (Nylanderia) fulva all over the world, their environmental and economic impact, and intended control tactics are documented. Displacement of these invasive species is triggered by human international movement of goods, and in one case, P. fulva, a deliberately introduction as a candidate for biological control of Atta spp. and snakes. These tramp ants displace native ants, attack native birds and reptiles, protect and transport sap sucking insects, cause damage to human commodities, and are able to cause health problems to men and domestic animals. Chemical control, producing negative environmental side effects, has shown poor success and short residual effect. Current tendencies use biological control agents, the natural enemies, parasites, predators and diseases of their original range. Quarantine and eradication programs have been implemented. The success of the tramp ants involves a small size that permits hiding in all types of packing materials, their organization in societies, varied diets, and in many cases to their late detection and initial control.

Exotic Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Morocco: Checklist, Comments and New Faunistic Data

ABSTRACT Morocco has a rich ant fauna with 237 known species, of which 14 (5.9%) are widespread tramp ants considered non-native in Morocco. In the present study, we collected ants in urban areas of 13 Moroccan regions to examine the spread of non-native species. We found that the known distribution of non-native ants is expanding along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Morocco. We confirmed the presence of the pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis, in Morocco, after many years of omission from the lists of Moroccan ants.

When invasive ants meet: effects of outbreeding on queen performance in the tramp ant Cardiocondyla itsukii.

Most disturbed habitats in the tropics and subtropics harbor numerous species of invasive ants, and occasionally the same species has been introduced repeatedly from multiple geographical sources. We examined how experimental crossbreeding between sexuals from different populations affects the fitness of queens of the tramp ant Cardiocondyla itsukii, which is widely distributed in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Eggs laid by queens that mated with nestmate males had a higher hatching rate than eggs laid by queens mated to males from neighboring (Hawaii × Kauai) or distant introduced populations (Hawaii/Kauai × Okinawa). Furthermore, inbreeding queens had a longer lifespan and produced a less female-biased offspring sex ratio than queens from allopatric mating. This suggests that the genetic divergence between different source populations may already be so large that in case of multiple invasions eventual crossbreeding might negatively affect the fitness of tramp ants.

First Record in Morocco of the Wooly AntTetramorium lanuginosum(Hymenoptera: Formicidae), an Asian Species Now Known from all Southern Mediterranean Countries

Abstract Tetramorium lanuginosum Mayr, 1870 is reported for the first time from Morocco. This exotic species was captured in a flower pot in the old city of Marrakech, bringing the number of non-native tramp ants reported in Morocco to 10 species. With this record, T. lanuginosum, originally from tropical and subtropical East Asia, is now known from all southern Mediterranean countries.

Tramp ants of Tangier, Morocco

ABSTRACT In May 2016, we collected ants at 16 sites in the city of Tangier, Morocco, primarily in urban gardens and parks. We found a total of 38 ant species, including eight non-native tramp species, Cardiocondyla emeryi, Linepithema humile, Nylanderia jaegerskioeldi, Paratrechina longicornis, Pheidole megacephala, Strumigenys membranifera, Tetramorium bicarinatum, and Tetramorium caldarium. These eight plus Monomorium pharaonis represent all non-native ant species known from Morocco. Two of these species are not been previously known from Morocco: N. jaegerskioeldi and P. megacephala. We found N. jaegerskioeldi at five sites, suggesting that this previously unreported species may have an expanding population in Morocco. We found P. megacephala in a single park in Tangier. Competition with native Pheidole species may limit the spread of P. megacephala in Morocco. The only tramp species from the New World known from Morocco is the Argentine ant, L. humile, which we collected at 7 sites. This species, orig...

Analysis of Ant Communities Comparing Two Methods for Sampling Ants in an Urban Park in the City of São Paulo, Brazil

This study aimed to analyze the species composition and functional groups of the ant community and to assess the efficiency of two sampling methods, pitfall and leaf litter sampling, in an urban park. A total of 1,401 ants were collected, which belonged to six subfamilies and 36 species. The predominant species was Wasmannia auropunctata (present in 45.36% of the samples), while the functional group of opportunistic ants were the most frequent (present in 83.75% of the samples) and abundant (95.29% of the total collected specimens) functional group. The Jaccard Similarity Index showed a low similarity between the two sampling methods, as the difference of the number of individuals for each species between these two methods was not significant in only one case (Linepithema sp. 1, p = 0.4561). The fungusgrowing and cryptic ants were more collected in leaf litter samples (p<0.0001; p = 0.0348 respectively). Although there was no significant difference (p = 0.6397) between the two sampling methods for the total individuals of opportunistic ants, more species of this group were collected in pitfall traps. This difference was not significant because of the high presence of W. auropunctata, an opportunistic ant, in samples of leaf litter. Due to the predominance of tramp ants in the studied area, this article illustrates the importance of green urban areas in ant control strategies, since these sites could be used as a source of new colonization for these ants. Furthermore, the combination of the two sampling methods seems to be complementary for obtaining a more complete picture of the ant community.

From integrated pest management to integrated pest eradication: technologies and future needs

With growing globalization and trade, insect incursions are increasing worldwide. A proportion of incursions involve pests of major economic crops (e.g.Mediterranean fruit fly), conservation value (e.g. tramp ants) or health significance(e.g.mosquitoes), and maybe the targets of eradication programmes. Historically, such responses have included the use of broad spectrum insecticides. However, with increasing public awareness of the negative aspects of pesticides, new environmentally friendly and effective techniques are needed. Here, we review and evaluate a range of selective to broad-spectrum tactical options for suppression which either have, or show potential for, integration within arthropod eradication programmes. Most of the available technologies have their roots in pest management, but higher efficacy is required. Further refinement may be needed for use in eradication. Integration of several tactics is usually needed, as compatible tools can be used simultaneously to target different parts of the pest life cycle. However, not all technologies are fully compatible; for example, the simultaneous use of mass trapping and the sterile insect technique (SIT) may be suboptimal, although sequential application may still be effective. Broad-spectrum insecticides are generally incompatible with some biologically based technologies such as the SIT, but may be used to reduce the population so that density-dependent tactics can be used. Several novel technologies with fewer nontarget impacts have been proposed in recent years, and need to be properly evaluated for their applicability to insecteradication. Overall, there are still major gaps in surveillance and selective eradication technologies for most insects.

Conservation status and management of the Gove Crow Euploea alcathoe enastri (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), a threatened tropical butterfly from the indigenous Aboriginal lands of north-eastern Arnhem Land, Australia

The Gove Crow butterfly, Euploea alcathoe enastri Fenner, 1991, is restricted to Gove Peninsula of north-eastern Arnhem Land, a remote area of northern Australia. The subspecies has been listed as an Endangered taxon under federal and Northern Territory legislation, and represents one of only a few cases in the Australian Region in which a tropical butterfly has been targeted for species-orientated conservation. However, accurate status evaluation and conservation management have been hampered by lack of detailed information on spatial distribution, critical habitat, and the extent and severity of threatening processes. Surveys carried out during 2006–2008 indicate that the subspecies has a limited geographical range (extent of occurrence approximately 6,700 km2) within which it is recorded from 11 locations or subpopulations embracing a total of 21 sites. Most sites comprise discrete habitat patches that are relatively small in area (<10 ha) within which adults are localised and occur in low abundance (<15 h−1). Of the four major habitat types in which E. alcathoe enastri was detected, only mixed paperbark tall open forest with rainforest elements in the understorey and rainforest edge (i.e. the ecotone between evergreen monsoon vine-forest and eucalypt/paperbark woodland) comprise breeding habitats. These habitat patches were always associated with permanent creeks or perennial groundwater seepages or springs that form swamplands, usually along drainage lines or flood plains in coastal or near coastal lowland areas. Major threats identified at the site level are habitat modification through altered fire regime and habitat disturbance by feral animals (buffalo, pig); potential threats at the landscape level include habitat loss through invasive species (grassy weeds, tramp ants) and global climate change. However, since critical breeding areas are subject to natural disturbance by both fire and flood, and occasionally cyclonic events, an optimal balance in disturbance regime is probably required to sustain breeding populations. Although E. alcathoe enastri is a narrow-range endemic that is ecologically specialised, there is no evidence of decline. Accordingly, the conservation status of the subspecies should be regarded as Near Threatened (‘Conservation Dependent’) under IUCN criteria. Components for an effective long-term conservation management plan of the butterfly and its habitat, which largely depend on the cooperation of traditional landowners and involvement of local indigenous ranger groups, are briefly discussed.

Can the failure to punish promote cheating in mutualism?

A key challenge in the study of mutualism is to understand the mechanisms that prevent cheating. In some systems, host retaliation against cheaters prevents the breakdown of cooperation. Here, we focus on the converse of this demonstration, and ask whether hosts that fail to retaliate are commonly inhabited by cheaters. We do so using the classic ant–plant interaction, in which plants provide ant-housing (domatia) in return for protection from herbivores. Our model system is the rattan ant-palm Korthalsia furtadoana, which grows swollen leaf sheaths as domatia and associates with two species of obligate host-ants, Camponotus sp90 and C. sp93, and with facultative Crematogaster and ‘tramp’ ant species. One ant-tree species is known to retaliate by tying the growth of domatia to the successful protection of new leaves, and non-protecting cheaters are rare. In contrast, K. furtadoana grows the domatium before the new leaf develops, suggesting that sanctioning may not be possible. We experimentally simulated herbivory by cutting leaves from shoots and found no difference in the mortality and growth of domatia on such ‘cheated’ shoots than on controls, confirming that K. furtadoana cannot sanction non-protectors. We then investigated the intensity of protection that Camponotus and Crematogaster ant-symbionts provide K. furtadoana. We demonstrate that C. sp90, which only inhabit half of colonised plants, vigorously protects leaves, that C. sp93 rarely protects, and that Crematogaster never protects. We then show that plants inhabited by C. sp90 have a higher growth rate than those inhabited by C. sp93. We conclude that C. sp90 is a protection mutualist, while C. sp93 and Crematogaster are parasites, the first such demonstrations for an ant–palm interaction. The presence of commonly occurring parasites, as well as rare tramp ants, provides the first clear correlative evidence that an inability to punish results in abundant cheating.

Microbiota associated with tramp ants in a Brazilian University Hospital

Our aim was to study the fauna of ants in the Hospital Universitário of the Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, municipality of Uberaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, as well as to identify the microorganisms the ants carry and their patterns of resistance to antibiotics. Sterile tubes (traps) containing honey were used to attract the ants. Traps were exposed for 3h, and those which attracted ants were considered the test group, while the ones that did not attract the insects constituted the control group. Only the ant species Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) was sampled. Sixty microorganisms were isolated from the sampled ants, including seven Gram-positive bacilli, 14 Gram-negative bacilli, 22 Gram-positive cocci and 17 filamentous fungi. Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Group D Streptococcus were the microorganisms with the highest resistance to the tested antibiotics. The ants should be considered an important vector of infections as they carry several pathogenic microorganisms, spreading them on the surface of sterile materials, equipment and uncontaminated food. It is impossible to define the exact role of ants in nosocomial infections at this moment; however, this issue must be better studied and special attention must be given by the commissions of Nosocomial Infection Control.

A new sterile technique effective on capturing tramp ants for microbiological investigations

Tramp ants are an outstanding group of organisms that have a definitive and important role in carrying pathogens. The purpose of this study was to develop a microbiological sterile technique of collecting ants from contaminated areas. The traps were composed of Petri dishes containing culture media, and were tested to verify the applicability of the system. A positive correlation between the microorganism growth and the presence of ants inside or around traps was observed. The technique described demonstrated to be useful to collect ants from different environments, helping the surveillance of pathogenic microorganisms that are of public health concern.