Agonistic responses of the tramp ants anoplolepis gracilipes, pheidole megacephala, linepithema humile, and wasmannia auropunctata hymenoptera. Genetic structure, nestmate recognition and behaviour of two cryptic species of the invasive bigheaded ant pheidole megacephala denis fournier1, maurice tindo2, martin kenne2, paul serge mbenoun masse3, vanessa van bossche1. The bigheaded ant bha is an introduced and highly invasive species that can significantly impact native ecosystems if it becomes widespread and abundant. Pheidole megacephala is one of the worlds worst invasive ant species. This species is unicolonial, forms supercolonies is highly aggressive, and quickly dominates natural arthropod. This introduced ant species is considered to be one of the greatest. Bigheaded ant pheidole megacephala eradication from aride. Disruption of a protective antplant mutualism by an. Pdf the first record and distribution of the bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala fabricius 1793 in the gala. Pheidole megacephala is an omnivorous ant, preying on other insects as well as. In general, the most common ants can be grouped as house.
Most big headed ants dont have big heads, and other facts about pheidole megacephala. Work plan to guide the eradication of the african big. According to hoffman 2006, incubation time of eggs ranges from to 32 days. Eeny369 bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala fabricius insecta. Description top of page most species of the genus pheidole, including p. Invasive african bigheaded ants, pheidole megacephala, on coral cays of the southern great barrier reef.
Brachymyrmex patagonicus en almeria, y pheidole megacephala, en barcelona, esta ultima ocupan do varias manzanas. Sculpture on the minor worker is restricted to the middle and posterior portions. Pheidole megacephala melancholica santschi, 1912 subspecies. Normally they will be happy with carrying off dead bees from the entrance and small hive beetle larvae that leave the hive to pupate in the soil. The predatory behavior of pheidole megacephala alain dejeana. Also resembles pheidole megacephala, but the head of p. Iran list type location not known formica megacephala, fabricius, 1793. Bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala seen if they can nest in large potted plants. Bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala fabricius, foraging tubes on a palm tree. Medium pheidole megacephala is a common species in the pacific with two waist segments, 12segmented antennae, 3segmented antennal clubs, propodeal spines, long thin pilosity, and a bimorphic worker caste.
The predatory behavior of pheidole megacephala article pdf available in comptes rendus biologies 3309. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. Pheidole megacephala workers detected all prey by contact. Pheidole megacephala impressifrons wasmann, 1905 subspecies. Pheidole megacephala is a common tramp ant around the globe. The third survey was conducted from november 30 to. Genetic structure, nestmate recognition and behaviour of two. It has been nominated as one of the hundred worlds worst invaders. Pheidole megacephalain monsoonal australia received. The bigheaded ant bha, pheidole megacephala fabricius, is a very successful invasive species that is sometimes considered a danger to native ants and has been nominated as among 100 of the worlds worst invaders hoffman 2006. Disruption of a protective antplant mutualism by an invasive. These ants nest in the soil and send out foraging columns to find insects and other small animals to dismember and carry back to the colony.
The pheidole megacephala compendium pmc highlights studies, notes, and my own personal accounts of one of the worlds most aggressive and invasive ant species, pheidole megacephala, which is commonly known as the big headed ant bha or coastal brown ant. This species is a cosmopolitan pest thought to have arisen in africa. Multiple queens in a colony of pheidole megacephala bigheaded ants. Influence of paratrechina longicomis presence on foraging activity of pheidole megacephala to 30% sucrose solution. The bigheaded ant bha, pheidole megacephala fabri cius, is a very. Myrmicinae 3 shed their wings and find a nest site where they will begin laying eggs. The census covered approximately 230 hectares and revealed that the area was partitioned into mutually exclusive territories by a pheidole megacephala cluster on the northern end, and fire ant colonies solenopsis invicta and s. Ethology ethologie the predatory behavior of pheidole. Since then a notable ecosystem response has been observed. The fly infests corpses soon after death, making it important to forensic science. Terrestrial invertebrates have become more abundant and different species are being documented. Here, we sought to elucidate the consequences of the p. The following information is derived from barry boltons new general catalogue, a catalogue of the worlds ants duplex. Infestation of islands by exotic ants is widespread and increasing due to human activities throughout the world.
Prior to establishing treatment areas, a survey was conducted to define the extent of the infestation of p. It is commonly known as the bigheaded ant in the usa and the coastal brown ant in australia. The bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala fabricius, is the predominant species infesting pineapple in hawaii. The commonest specimens are the small workers, with the large soldiers a minority of the ants seen. Pheidole megacephala, full face view of a minor worker click image to enlarge. The genus is predominantly a harvester ant genus, but p. It is a warmweather fly with a greenishblue metallic boxlike body.
We studied the behaviour of the invasive african myrmicine ant, pheidole megacephala, when confronted with colonies of other common ant species in cameroon, a part of its native range, and in mexico, where it has been introduced. The raiding success of pheidole megacephala on other ants in. Invasive african bigheaded ants, pheidole megacephala. Bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala fabricius insecta. The raiding success of pheidole megacephala on other ants. Moreaub, pierre uzaca, julien le bretona, martin kennec a cnrsguyane ups 2561 and umrcnrs 5174, residence le relais, 16, avenue andrearon, 97300 cayenne, france b museum of comparative zoology, harvard university, 26 oxford street, cambridge, ma 028, usa. Work plan to guide the eradication of the african big headed.
This document is eeny369, one of a series of the entomology and nematology department, ufifas extension. Our results indicated that the foraging distance and temtory of p. Alle wichtigen informationen findet ihr in diesem video. Mem research taxa introduction faunal lists identification how to use the keys glossary collecting tips specimen preparation mem publications mem ant publications ant videos ant news mem ant blog references acknowledgments links. There are several species of ants found in or around houses in florida. Control of the bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala, in pineapple plantations is essential to the prevention of economically significant infestations of pineapple mealybugs, which have a close symbiotic relationship with this ant species.
The sampled populations differed in ant community composition, allowing us to examine if p. Note that, although the workers have an atrophied sting, their attacks were very rapid, with the workers retrieving termite larvae and workers just after seizure by pulling them backward or lifting them. This fly is implicated in some public health issues. Agonistic responses of the tramp ants anoplolepis gracilipes. Pheidole megacephala african bigheaded ant youtube. Pheidole megacephala megacephala fabricius, 1793 subspecies. Formicidae in the islands of the southwest indian ocean and designation of a neotype for the invasive pheidole megacephala. It is a serious threat to biodiversity through the displacement of native invertebrate fauna and is a pest of agriculture as it harvests seeds and harbours. It was first identified on aride by ant expert dr brian fischer in february 2010 and fortunately, it appeared not to have.
Bigheaded ant pheidole megacephala eradication from aride the bigheaded ant bha is an introduced and highly invasive species that can significantly impact native ecosystems if it becomes widespread and abundant. Body size variation and caste ratios in geographically. Rosser garrison identified samples of ants collected at a residence in costa mesa, ca as pheidole megacephala, bigheaded ant. Body size variation and caste ratios in geographically distinct populations of the invasive bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala hymenoptera. They form continuous supercolonies that out competes with most oth. Sep 16, 2016 my latest colony that arrived on 160916 one of the worst global invasive species of ant. They were able to master and singly retrieve termite larvae and workers, as well as the largest and heaviest tetramorium males. Bigheaded ant bha eradication efforts began during the summer of 2014. The species is currently qrated, so a pest rating proposal is needed to determine future direction. Kenneth grace1,2 abstract using both individual and group behavioral assays, we evaluated agonistic. At a demonstration site for growers, bait stations with amdro were placed around the perimeter of a newly. This ant was chosen as a representative species because it is a common hitchhiker and rearing methods in the laboratory have been developed. Eleven species out of 12 put up a rather strong resistance to raiding p. Native plants appear to be healthier and more resilient.
No brasil, em algumas cidades, ocorre da seguinte maneira. Mar 16, 2015 pheidole megacephala receives a high3 in this category. Genetic structure, nestmate recognition and behaviour of. Exotic ants, particularly the invasive african bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala fabricius, are of great conservation concern for coral cays at the southern end of the great barrier reef, australia.
My latest colony that arrived on 160916 one of the worst global invasive species of ant. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and uptodate information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in. Little is known, however, about the distribution and ecological impacts of. Bigheaded ant, pheidole megacephala fabricius, foraging tubes. Pheidole megacephala is a species of ant in the family formicidae. The following information is derived from barry boltons new general catalogue, a catalogue of the worlds ants spinosa. Believed to be native to southern africa, it is now found throughout the temperate and tropical zones of the world. The desired response with irradiation treatment of ants is sterility of reproductive females. Suarez1,4 1department of animal biology, university of illinois, 515 morrill hall, 505 s.
Wilson 2003 estimates the number of its known species as close to 900, with a large number still to be described. Chrysomya megacephala, more commonly known as the oriental latrine fly, is a member of the family calliphoridae blowflies. Pheidole megacephala bigheaded ant pest rating proposals. With the evening rains have come the thousands of ants. Abstract lord howe island is a small subtropical island off the east coast of australia. Pheidole megacephala nkomoana forel, 1916 subspecies. While the ant fauna of the samoan archipelago is considered relatively well documented, much of npsa has never been surveyed for.
Pdf we studied the foraging and predatory behaviors of the invasive african myrmicine ant, pheidole megacephala f. The most recent taxonomic treatments of the pheidole megacephala species. A twoday visual survey of old town key west in florida in may 2018 was conducted to determine the distribution of urban ants in this city. It, perhaps, is worth noting that although they examined many specimens, from africa they listed only a few samples from east africa and very few of the. Ochetellus glaber pheidole megacephala doleromyrma darwiniana monomorium pharaonis linepithema humile monomorium destructor white tailed spider lampona cylindrata golden orb weaving spider nephila spp. Bigheaded ants have been shown to help control pest insects in some circumstances by consuming damaging pest insects that do not produce honeydew and replacing them with less damaging honeydew. Pheidole megacephala ant factsheets manaaki whenua. Effect of irradiation on the longevity and reproduction of. Pdf pheidole megacephala fabricius 1793 hymenoptera.
Piakey manual pacific invasive ants taxonomy workshop manual can both be. The bha has been a pest in southern florida for many years, and according to reports by pest control operators, has become the most pervasive. The ants, taken to a laboratory at a university of hawaii at manoa laboratory, were placed in plastic boxes 26. Bigheaded ant pheidole megacephala eradication from. Media in category pheidole megacephala the following 73 files are in this category, out of 73 total. Impact of an introduced ant on native rain forest invertebrates. The third survey was conducted from november 30 to december 4. The predatory behavior of pheidole megacephala sciencedirect. In general, the most common ants can be grouped as house infesting, yard infesting, and carpenter ants. There may also be some positive economic impact from the entry of bigheaded ant to california. Chapter 7 invertebrate control program 20 makua and oahu implementation plan status report 150 alluaudi kaluakauila anoplolepis gracilipes, cardiocondyla emeryi, ochetellus glaber, paratrechina bourbonica, plagiolepis alludi, s. It is a very successful invasive species and is considered a danger to native ants in australia and other places. The minor workers are small, yellow to brown, small propodeal spines, and no antennal scrobes.
549 482 1413 1091 768 25 1267 738 1440 1030 1476 236 378 792 510 709 1460 859 1272 794 1 96 66 949 916 30 1539 1229 1072 274 566 606 575 1187 913 1151 1344 465 184 900 456