@article {33505, title = {Effects of tending by Solenopsis invicta (hymenoptera: Formicidae) on the sugar composition and concentration in the honeydew of an invasive mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)}, journal = {Ethology}, year = {2015}, month = {Jan-02-2015}, pages = {n/a - n/a}, abstract = {

Mutualistic interactions between ants and hemipterans are mediated by the honeydew produced by the hemipterans. Previous works have demonstrated that the invasive mealybug\ Phenacoccus solenopsis\ produces abundant honeydew and attracts a large number of workers of the fire ant\ Solenopsis invicta. Mealybugs exhibit higher fecundity when tended by fire ants. The honeydew produced byP.\ solenopsis\ plays an important role in interactions between these two species. However, relatively few studies have focused on whether there is a cost to\ P.\ solenopsis\ mealybugs of being tended by\ S.\ invicta\ through changes in their excretion behavior and the quantity of honeydew produced. Our results indicated that the honeydew of\ P.\ solenopsis\ contains xylose, fructose, sucrose, trehalose, melezitose, and raffinose. The sugar concentration in the mealybug honeydew changed in an ant-tended treatment. When tended by fire ants, the mealybugs generated honeydew with a significantly decreased xylose concentration. In contrast, the droplets showed a considerable increase in the melezitose concentration.\ P.\ solenopsis\ excreted honeydew more frequently when tended by\ S.\ invicta, but the weights of the droplets excreted by the ant-tended mealybugs were significantly lower. In addition,\ S.\ invicta\ exhibited a significant preference for different sugars. Melezitose was visited more intensively than the other sugars in two choice tests. These results may suggest that, to attract more tending ants, mealybugs adjust their carbohydrate metabolism.

}, keywords = {ant{\textendash}mealybug mutualism, honeydew quantity and quality, sugar preferences}, doi = {10.1111/eth.12363}, url = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/eth.12363}, author = {Zhou, A.M. and Wu, D. and Liang, G.W. and Lu, Y.Y. and Xu, Y.J.}, editor = {Wright, J} } @article {33484, title = {Ants of the Florida Keys: species accounts, biogeography, and conservation (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)}, journal = {Journal of Insect Science}, volume = {14}, year = {2014}, month = {Jan-01-2014}, pages = {295 - 295}, abstract = {

As a tropical archipelago, the Florida Keys provide an ideal environment to examine the historic and short-term processes that structure and influence biological diversity. Through a new survey of the ants of the Florida Keys, we increase our knowledge of the number of species to 94 representing 34 genera and 8 subfamilies. Through detailed collection information, we provide an in depth picture of the distribution of each species across the Keys. On the basis of these data and information on the native and known distributions of each species, we confirm the historical trend toward continued immigration of nonnative species into the Florida Keys and present these findings in the context of the proportion of native to nonnative species. We find a similar number of species introduced from the Old World and Neotropical mainland and discuss the probable immigration of mainland Florida species during the exposure of the Florida Shelf during the last glacial episode and the subsequent isolation of some populations as sea level rose following the last glaciation. Lastly, we discuss the possible threats to these populations due to rapid climate change and other human influences.

}, keywords = {biodiversity, Biogeography, Climate change, Florida, insect, Invasive species}, doi = {10.1093/jisesa/ieu157}, url = {http://jinsectscience.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/doi/10.1093/jisesa/ieu157}, author = {Moreau, C. S. and Deyrup, M. A. and Davis, L. R.} } @article {33483, title = {Intraspecific and interspecific aggressive interactions between two species of fire ants, Solenopsis geminata and S. invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in Taiwan}, journal = {Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology}, year = {2014}, month = {Jan-12-2014}, abstract = {

Fire ants represent a considerable hazard for humans and animals living in areas where they are introduced. Currently, two species of fire ant,\ Solenopsis geminata\ (Fabricius) and both social forms of\ S.\ invicta\ Buren, have been accidentally introduced into Taiwan. In this study, we conducted a series of behavioral assays to examine the aggressive response of two species of fire ants, using individual and group assays. Workers ofS.\ geminata, monogyne\ S.\ invicta, and polygyne\ S. invicta\ achieved low mean scores for their responses in conspecific interactions, but did exhibit significantly high aggressive responses in heterospecific interactions. The results demonstrate that 51.7\% residents and 23.1\% intruders played first attacker roles in individual aggression assay. After the interspecific individual aggression tests, the results show that polygyne\ S.\ invicta\ had the lowest mortality among the three fire ant forms. In interspecific group aggression tests,\ S.\ geminata\ experienced the highest mortality compared with that for both social forms of\ S.\ invicta. The results in this study can be used to partially explain the behavioral responses and competitive ability of two species of fire ants in aggression bioassays.

}, keywords = {aggression, fire ant, Formicidae, heterospecific, mortality}, issn = {12268615}, doi = {10.1016/j.aspen.2014.09.003}, url = {http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1226861514001460http://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S1226861514001460?httpAccept=text/xmlhttp://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S1226861514001460?httpAccept=text/plain}, author = {Lai, Li-Chuan and Hua, Kuo-Hsun and Wu, Wen-Jer} } @article {33470, title = {Worldwide ant invasions under climate change}, journal = {Biodiversity and Conservation}, year = {2014}, month = {Jul-09-2014}, abstract = {

Many ants are among the most globally significant invasive species. They have caused the local decline and extinction of a variety of taxa ranging from plants to mammals. They disturb ecosystem processes, decrease agricultural production, damage infrastructure and can be a health hazard for humans. Overall, economic costs caused by invasive ants amount to several billion US $ annually. There is general consensus that the future distributions of invasive species are likely to expand with climate change, however this dogma remains poorly tested. Here we model suitable area globally for 15 of the worst invasive ant species, both currently and with predicted climate change (in 2080), globally, regionally and within the world\’s 34 biodiversity hotspots. Surprisingly, the potential distribution of only five species was predicted to increase (up to 35.8\ \%) with climate change, with most declining by up to 63.3\ \%. The ant invasion hotspots are predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Africa, Asia and Oceanic islands, and particularly correspond with biodiversity hotspots. Contrary to general expectations, climate change and invasive ant species will not systematically act synergistically. However, ant invasions will likely remain as a major global problem, especially where invasion hotspots coincide with biodiversity hotspots.

}, keywords = {biological invasions, Climate change, Consensus model, Invasive ants, Species distribution models}, issn = {0960-3115}, doi = {10.1007/s10531-014-0794-3}, url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10531-014-0794-3http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10531-014-0794-3}, author = {Bertelsmeier, Cleo and Luque, Gloria M. and Hoffmann, Benjamin D. and Courchamp, Franck} } @article {33464, title = {Pathogenicity of individual isolates of entomopathogenic fungi affects feeding preference of red imported fire ants Solenopsis invicta}, journal = {Biocontrol Science and Technology}, year = {2014}, month = {Oct-06-2014}, pages = {1 - 17}, abstract = {

Seven isolates of entomopathogenic fungi,\ Isaria fumosorosea\ (IFCF-H and IFCF-L),\ Beauveria bassiana s.l. (Bb02 and Bb04) and\ Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. (Ma01, SM076 and M09), were selected for their pathogenicity against\ Solenopsis invicta\ as well as feeding preference of\ S. invicta. When ants were treated with a conidial suspension at a concentration of 1\×108\ conidia/ml, the median lethal times (LT50) of IFCF-H, IFCF-L, Bb02, Bb04, Ma01, SM076 and M09 were 3.4, 162.6, 7.3, 2.8, 3.8, 7.3 and 2.7 d, respectively after\ 10\ days. The median lethal concentrations (LC50) on the tenth day after inoculation were 1.20\×107, 1.56\×1010, 4.23\×107, 3.04\×106, 6.13\×106, 2.90\×107\ and 9.90\×105\ conidia/ml, respectively. Furthermore,\ S. invicta\ consumed significantly less solution flavored with Bb04 conidia than the control, which was demonstrated by the lowest preference index (PREF = 0.09).\ S. invicta\ did not have a significant feeding preference for other fungal isolates. The pathogenicity (LC50) of fungal isolates was not significantly correlated (R2=0.013) with the PREF of\ S. invicta. However, in the paired choice experiments between different virulent isolates belonging to the same genera,\ S. invicta\ tended to select the solution flavored with conidia of relatively lower pathogenic isolates such as IFCF-L, Bb02 and SM076. We conclude that the pathogenicity of congeneric fungi may affect the feeding preference of\ S. invicta. Red imported fire ants might adjust their feeding response to entomopathogenic fungi based on the profile of microbial volatile organic compounds.

}, keywords = {entomopathogenic fungi, feeding choice, feeding preference, management, pathogenicity, Solenopsis invicta}, issn = {0958-3157}, doi = {10.1080/09583157.2014.933313}, url = {http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09583157.2014.933313}, author = {Qiu, Hua-long and Lu, Li-hua and Zhang, Chun-yang and He, Yu-rong} } @article {33461, title = {Invasive species: old foes meet again}, journal = {Current Biology}, volume = {24}, year = {2014}, month = {Jan-05-2014}, pages = {R372 - R374}, abstract = {

Tawny crazy ants are spreading across the southern U.S., replacing one of the most notorious invasive pests, the red imported fire ant. A crucial factor in this process is that tawny crazy ants are able to efficiently detoxify fire ant venom.

}, keywords = {North America, red imported fire ant, RIFA, Tawny crazy ant}, issn = {09609822}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2014.03.045}, url = {http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982214003376}, author = {Kronauer, ~J.C.} } @mastersthesis {33410, title = {The consequences and implications of ecology on body size distributions in social insects}, volume = {Ph.D.}, year = {2013}, month = {12/2013}, school = {University of Illinois}, type = {Doctoral}, address = {Urbana-Champaign}, abstract = {

The study of life history traits is central to the fields of ecology, behavior, and evolution. Life history theory explores investment into key biological characteristics that figure directly into the reproductive success and survival of an organism (e.g. size at birth, age at maturity, and size at maturity). One of the major tenets of life history theory is that finite resources must be allocated to the development of traits associated with growth, defense, and reproduction. Consequently, investment into life history traits are subject to tradeoffs between resources allocated to each demand, where resources devoted to one function can no longer be devoted to another (offspring size versus offspring number). Relative to solitary species, the study of life history traits in eusocial organisms is complicated by their reproductive division of labor. In social insects, reproduction is dominated by a queen (reproductive) caste while the majority of other tasks within the colony are performed by a worker (non-reproductive) caste, often made up of sterile individuals. The separation of reproductive and non-reproductive individuals within a colony can influence tradeoffs that constrain the evolution of life history traits in solitary organisms. For example, workers no longer invest in morphological traits required for dispersal, mating, and reproduction (with few exceptions). Additionally, in approximately 13\% of ant species worker variation is large enough that the worker caste can be subdivided into sub-castes based on size and shape. For these polymorphic species, body size is both an individual and a colony-level trait (distribution of worker body sizes). Ants are typically described as most diverse and successful organisms in terrestrial ecosystems. One explanation for their ecological dominance and success is that ant species are social allowing workers to display a high degree of morphological and behavioral specialization. All of which make ants a useful system to study in order to answer a variety of questions in ecology, behavior, and evolution. Investment into worker body size and number is thought to play a major role in determining colony growth, maintenance, and reproductive output (fitness). The investment into worker body size is integral to colony fitness because it impacts most every aspect of its existence. For example, size affects worker behavior, metabolism, thermal tolerance, locomotion, longevity, and food retrieval/storage. Consequently, body size plays an important role in determining how organisms interact with the biotic and abiotic components of their environment and is often under strong selection. However, variation in size often remains pronounced within populations. In addition to its biological importance, size is also easy to measure and a common metric for a variety of research areas. Variation within and between colony investment into worker size and number may result as a response to local conditions and within evolutionary constraints. For example, within a single colony, body size and body size distributions of workers is determined by evolutionary history, genetics, the social environment within the colony, abiotic factors, nutrition, and competitive environment. Evolutionary constraints, genetics and social environment generally act \“within the colony\” to influence worker body size distributions. In contrast, ecological influences, which include the abiotic environment, nutrition, and competitive environment, act \“outside the colony.\” It is important to note that these factors do not work singly, and the interactions between factors are also important in determining body sizes within a colony. Moreover, these factors may simultaneously impact worker body size from both outside and within a colony. In the following chapters, I explore how external (ecological) factors influence body size and body size distributions in ants. I also examine how variation in worker size and number influence the outcomes of competitive interactions. I begin in Chapter One with a general review of research discussing the determinates of body size in ant species with polymorphic workers. Chapter One explores the literature examining how ecology influences body size distributions in polymorphic ant species and how variability within a colony influences measures of colony fitness. The within-colony factors influencing body size (evolutionary constraints, genetics, and social environment) have been reviewed recently, thus I keep this section brief. In the review, I discuss the intrinsic (\“within a colony\”) and extrinsic (\“outside a colony\”) determinants of intra-specific variation in ant body size. Additionally, I review the literature on how variation in worker body size can promote division of labor by increasing worker efficiency and specialization. The review focuses on species with polymorphic workers and addresses the following two questions: 1. What factors influence the distribution of worker body sizes within a colony? and 2. How does variation in body size benefit the colony? Despite considerable research in these areas, I find few studies that directly link body size variation or caste ratios to components of colony fitness. I conclude with recommendations for future work, aimed at addressing current limitations in this field. This includes a need for experimental studies that explicitly relate body size variation to fitness in social insects. In the subsequent chapters I use comparative and experimental approaches to examine the ecological factors influencing, and consequences of, variation in worker body size in polymorphic invasive ant species. Introduced species are ideal for examining the role of ecological variation on investment into worker size as they often encounter vastly different ecological conditions throughout their introduced ranges (e.g. fewer competitors and access to additional resources). These differences in ecology likely impact colony investment in growth, reproduction, and defense. Moreover, the success of invasive species is thought to occur as a result of changes to competitive environment or behavioral dominance. In this way, invasive species provide an opportunity to investigate novel species interactions that would otherwise be unethical to do experimentally if these species were intentionally introduced into new environments. In Chapter Two, I quantify the variation in size and shape of workers among geographically distinct populations of the dimorphic (two distinct worker castes) big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) (Fabricius). This species has been introduced nearly worldwide including areas with species rich, competitively dominant ant fauna (e.g. Australia) and to islands that have no native ants (e.g. Hawaii). I utilize this variation in ant community species richness to investigate how P. megacephala species varies investment into soldier (major) worker size, shape, and number, depending on the competitive nature of the environment. As in other dimorphic species in this genus, minor workers are behavioral \“generalists\” within a colony. Minor workers are significantly smaller than major workers and complete the bulk of tasks within a colony. Majors are considerably larger and more energetically costly to produce. Majors play a more specialized role in colony defense, food retrieval, and food storage. As outlined in Chapter One different ecological conditions (e.g. nutrition, food resources, abiotic environment, and competition) among populations is hypothesized to alter colony investment into worker body size. I also use genetic data to determine if the populations of P. megacephala represent cryptic species or if morphological differences are attributable to changes following introduction. I find significant variation in worker mass among five populations. Both major and minor workers were largest in Australia, whereas minor workers were smallest in Hawaii and Mauritius. I also find differences in major and minor worker morphology among populations. Majors from Mauritius have significantly larger heads (width and length) than those from Hawaii and Florida. The length of the head and tibia of minor workers are greater in South Africa compared to samples from Australia, Hawaii, and Florida. I did not find differences in caste ratios among populations. The molecular data place all samples within the same clade, supporting that these morphologically different populations represent the same species. These results suggest that the variation in shape and morphology of major and minor workers may result from a rapid adaptation or plastic response to local conditions. In Chapter Three, I examine how access to plant-based carbohydrate resources (nutrition) influences colony investment into worker body size distributions in the continuously polymorphic, red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). As holometabolous insects, differences in reproductive investment and feeding prior to pupation have dramatic effects on adult ant worker body size. An increase in the total amount and quality of food resources available to a colony can increase worker size, body size distributions, and colony size. Large colonies are themselves more likely to produce larger workers, further influencing worker body size variation. Moreover, an increase in access to plant-based carbohydrate resources is suspected of playing an important role in determining invasion success of ant species as carbohydrate resources are more commonly monopolized within introduced ranges of invasive ants than in their native ranges. In this chapter, I use multiple queen (polygyne) colonies from populations in Texas, split into four treatment colonies, to experimentally test how nutrition influences colony investment into worker number, body size, body size distributions, and fat content (worker quality). Experimental colonies were reared on a diet of insect protein and one of four treatment solutions (water, amino acids, carbohydrates, and amino acid and carbohydrates). Overall, colonies with access to carbohydrates (which mimic plant based resources) produce a higher biomass of workers after 60 days. The differences in worker biomass are attributable to changes in both worker number and mean size. Worker number and size generally increases in response to carbohydrate supplementation to their diet but there is no difference in worker fat content among treatments. There is a slight shift in body size distributions (more, medium sized workers) in treatments reared on diets of carbohydrates than those denied access to carbohydrates. Invasive species with access to additional carbohydrate resources may increase colony investment into worker number and medium sized workers and subsequently influence the outcomes of competitive interactions (Chapter Four). Variation in investment into worker number and body size can influence the outcomes of competitive interactions. This includes resource discovery, food retrieval, and resource defense. There is growing interest in co-opting Lanchester\’s laws, originally designed for human warfare, to predict the outcomes of aggressive interactions in ants. In Chapter Four, I use a foraging experiment and field surveys to test the predictions of Lanchester\’s laws in interference competition with the continuously polymorphic, S. invicta. I also use the foraging experiment to explore how varying worker number and size influences exploitation competition. Lanchester\’s square law predicts that if a group is numerically superior then attacks should occur simultaneously against their opponent and is likely most effective in open environments (or above ground). If a group is numerically inferior but possess weapons of superior \“quality\”, fighting in a series of one-on-one duels is more advantageous. This strategy is potentially most effective in closed and confined spaces (or below ground). I find that for colonies of equal biomass but different worker size (e.g. different worker number), colonies with smaller workers typically discover baits more quickly than those with larger workers but both large and small worker colonies retrieve equal amounts of food resources. Colonies with smaller workers do not suffer fewer losses when outnumbering their opponents than when equally matched. I however find that when colonies with large bodied workers compete with numerically dominant opponents they suffer a greater number of losses in open arenas than closed arenas (support for the square law). In closed arenas, colonies with relatively few but large workers use their size advantage in confined spaces to defend against the numerically superior but smaller workers (support for the linear law). In the field, I find more small workers above ground than below ground which supports the predictions of the linear law because in narrow confined spaces larger body size is advantageous. Lanchester\’s laws provide a framework to build predictions for outcomes of competitive interactions and in the future may help identify how competition influences community structure and species composition Body size is one of the most important life history traits as it directly affects an organism\’s existence. Understanding determinates of variation in ant worker body size is no trivial task. The complexity arises because of reproductive division of labor and the presence of distinct worker castes. The relative importance of factor determining worker body size within a colony varies within and among different ant species (and in some cases between worker castes). This may explain why the vast majority of research examining body size has focused on solitary organisms while relatively little work is done using social insects. Given the ecological dominance of ants in many environments however, failing to examine the factors influencing within and between colonies often limits current and future understanding of insect ecology. There is a substantial amount of information regarding the factors influencing body size in ants, but there is much left to explore.

}, keywords = {Ants, big-headed ant, body size variation, ecology, Invasive species, Pheidole megacephala, red imported fire ant, social insects, Solenopsis invicta}, url = {http://hdl.handle.net/2142/46801}, author = {Bill Wills} } @article {33409, title = {Impacts of invasive ants on native ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)}, volume = {19}, year = {2014}, pages = {111-123}, publisher = {{\"O}sterreichische Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Entomofaunistik}, abstract = {

The most commonly documented consequence of alien ant invasions is the displacement and local extinction of native ant species. However, several processes may lead to low native ant diversity in the presence of non-native species. Invasive ants may, indeed, competitively exclude native ants. Conversely, invasive ants may not be able to spread into diverse, competitively dominant native ant communities. Finally, complementary distribution of invasive and native ants may be non-interactive and instead driven by divergent responses to heterogeneous environmental factors. Here, I review studies of non-native ants that have associated negative impacts on native ant communities, discuss how native ant communities are reorganized in invaded habitats, summarize reports of vulnerable and resistant ant species, and examine evidence for mechanisms of reduced native ant diversity. Invasive ants are often, but not always, associated with lower native ant abundance, reduced species diversity, and randomly structured, homogenized native ant communities. Native ants are unlikely to co-occur with invasive ants 1) in habitats with environmental conditions suitable to and / or modified for the invader, 2) during the height of an invasion when an invading species is at its peak density, 3) when native ants are ecologically similar to the invading species and lack potent chemical defenses. Little evidence supports the biotic resistance hypothesis for native ants. Instead, suitable environmental conditions are primary determinants of the establishment and success of invasive ants. While invasive ants generally thrive in disturbed areas, many studies document the spread of invasive ants into undisturbed habitats and support the notion that invasive ants can drive declines in native ant diversity. More experimental studies are needed to explicitly test the importance of interactive and noninteractive processes in determining the spread of invasive ants and their impacts on native ant diversity.

}, keywords = {Biotic resistance, competitive exclusion, disturbance, diversity, invasive ants, native ant communities, review}, isbn = {1994-4136}, url = {http://myrmecologicalnews.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content\&view=category\&id=586:myrmecol-news-19-111-123-online-earlier\&Itemid=83\&layout=default}, author = {Wittman, Sarah E.} } @article {33406, title = {Threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts of tramp ants on biodiversity in Australia and its territories}, year = {2006}, institution = {Department of the Environment and Heritage}, address = {Canberra}, abstract = {

Invasive alien tramp ants are a diverse group of species originating from many regions of the globe which arrive at Australia\&$\#$39;s doorstep through a variety of transport pathways. They share genetic, behavioural, and ecological attributes that influence their probability of entry, establishment and spread, ecological dominance, and high impact.

While their impacts on biodiversity in Australia are not well quantified, many tramp ants have the ability to affect Australia\&$\#$39;s native biodiversity. Their impacts may be felt directly through predation upon or competition with native animals, or indirectly by modifying habitat structure and altering ecosystem processes. Most tramp ants have multi-sectoral impacts, and can affect plant and animal health, social and cultural values, and human health.

The effective and appropriate management of threats from tramp ants poses a formidable challenge to Australia, testing the continuum of biosecurity, from pre-border surveillance through to pest management. Individual tramp ant species are at varying stages in the invasion process, so the nature and scale of management responses will vary accordingly.

The tramp ant threat abatement plan establishes a national framework to guide and coordinate Australia\&$\#$39;s response to tramp ants, identifying the research, management, and other actions necessary to ensure the long-term survival of native species and ecological communities affected by tramp ants.

The goal of the plan is to minimise the impact of invasive tramp ants on biodiversity in Australia and its territories by protecting threatened native species and ecological communities, and preventing further species and ecological communities from becoming threatened.

The department hasn\&$\#$39;t established a specific implementation team for tramp ants. Initially there was the National Tramp Ant Committee (NTAC) which did have a wide mandate and occasionally assisted with elements of the TAP, but the NTAC has ceased and has been replaced by the Tramp ant consultative committee, which focuses on emergency responses to tramp ant issues.

}, keywords = {Australia, management}, url = {http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/pubs/tramp-ants.pdf} } @article {33127, title = {Distribution of the two social forms of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the native South American range}, journal = {Annals of the Entomological Society of America}, volume = {96}, year = {2003}, month = {Jan-11-2003}, pages = {810 - 817}, issn = {00138746}, doi = {10.1603/0013-8746(2003)096[0810:DOTTSF]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Mescher, Mark C. and Ross, Kenneth G. and Shoemaker, D. Dewayne and Keller, Laurent and Krieger, Michael J. B.} } @article {33126, title = {Zoogeography of the imported fire ants}, journal = {Journal of the New York Entomological Society}, volume = {82}, year = {1974}, note = {Part of FORMIS; from Fire Ant Literature Database; verified-DPW; from ANTBIB; verified-PSW.}, month = {08/1974}, pages = {113-124}, author = {Buren, W.F. and Allen, G.E. and Whitcomb, W.H. and Lennartz, F.E. and Williams, R.N.} } @article {33125, title = {The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta; distribution and habitat in Mato Grosso, Brazil}, journal = {Annals of the Entomological Society of America}, volume = {67}, year = {1974}, note = {Part of FORMIS; from Fire Ant Literature Database; verified-DPW; from ANTBIB; verified-PSW.}, month = {01/1974}, pages = {43-46}, abstract = {

A 17-day trip was made through the States of S\ão Paulo, Mato Grosso, Rond\ônia Territory, Goi\ás, and Minas Gerais, Brazil, to study the Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) complex. Special emphasis was on the distribution and ecology of Solenopsis invicta Buren. S. invicta was established in an area bordered by C\áceres, Rondon\ópolis, Chapada, and Terenos in the State of Mato Grosso, and was also found at P\ôrto Velho, Rond\ônia Territory. Active colonies were present only in moist or protected areas. This study reconfirmed a previous postulation that areas of Mato Grosso were a part of the homeland of S. invicta, the \&$\#$39;\&$\#$39;red imported fire ant\&$\#$39;\&$\#$39; of southeastern United States.

}, author = {Allen, G.E. and Buren, W.F. and Williams, R.N. and de Menezes, M. and Whitcomb, W.H.} } @article {33124, title = {Exotic spread of Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) beyond North America}, journal = {Sociobiology}, volume = {60}, year = {2013}, month = {Nov-04-2014}, abstract = {

The South America fire ant\ Solenopsis invicta\ Buren arrived in Mobile, Alabama by ship sometime before 1945. Since then,\ S. invicta\ has spread in North America across the southern US and northeastern Mexico. More recently, it has invaded the West Indies and parts of the Old World. Here, I examine this more recent exotic spread of\ S. invictabeyond North America, reporting new West Indian records and questioning some Asian records. In 1981,\ S. invicta\ was first found in the West Indies, on Puerto Rico. With my new records from Vieques, Aruba, and Jamaica,\ S. invicta\ is now known from 28 West Indian islands. In 2001, the first Old World populations of\ S. invicta\ were discovered in New Zealand and Australia. Nascent populations of\ S. invicta\ in New Zealand have been exterminated and Australia populations have been kept in check through intensive control efforts. Populations of\ S. invicta\ in Taiwan and China first found in 2003-2004,\ however, have spread broadly. Published reports of\ S. invicta\ from Malaysia and Singapore were based on misidentifications, presumably of the more widespread Neotropical fire ant,\ Solenopsis geminata\ (Fabricius). Reports of\ S. invicta\ from India and the Philippines seem questionable and need confirmation.\ Where S. invicta has invaded, it has displaced S. geminata in open habitats, leaving remnant S. geminata populations, primarily in forested areas. In working to limit the spread and impacts of fire ants, it will be important to differentiate among the species, and recognize their similarities and their differences.

}, keywords = {biological invasion, distribution, Exotic species, Invasive species, red imported fire ant, RIFA, Stinging ants}, issn = {0361-6525}, doi = {10.13102/sociobiology.v60i110.13102/sociobiology.v60i1.50-55}, author = {J K Wetterer} } @article {33123, title = {An overview of the red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Mainland China}, journal = {Florida Entomologist}, volume = {90}, year = {2007}, month = {Jan-12-2007}, pages = {723 - 731}, abstract = {

The red imported fire ant,\ Solenopsis invicta\ Buren is a serious invasive insect that is native to South America. Its presence was officially announced in mainland China in Jan 2005. To date, it has been identified in 4 provinces in mainland China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Fujian) in a total of 31 municipal districts. The total area reported to be infested by\ S. invictain late 2006 was about 7,120 ha, mainly in Guangdong Province (6,332 ha). Most of the reported human stings are in the heavily infested area around Wuchuan City. The most commonly reported reactions have been abnormal redness of the skin, sterile pustules, hives, pain, and/or fever. It has been predicted that most of mainland China is viable habitat for red imported fire ants, including 25 of 31 provinces. The probable northern limit of expansion reaches Shandong, Tianjing, south Henan, and Shanxi provinces. Traditional and new insecticides including the bait N-butyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide and the contact insecticide Yichaoqing have been developed and used to control\ S. invicta. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Chinese government have established an 8-year eradication program (2006 to 2013) for\ S. invicta\ in China.

}, keywords = {China, distribution, red imported fire ant, RIFA}, issn = {0015-4040}, doi = {10.1653/0015-4040(2007)90[723:AOOTRI]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Zhang, Runzhi and Li, Yingchao and Liu, Ning and Porter, Sanford D.} } @article {33122, title = {Potential establishment areas of Solenopsis invicta in China: A prediction based on GIS}, journal = {Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao}, volume = {17}, year = {2006}, month = {2006 Nov}, pages = {2093-7}, abstract = {

Based on geographic information system (GIS), the potential establishment areas of Solenopsis invicta Buren in China were predicted. The days above threshold temperature and the number of degree-days were used as main determining factors, while annual precipitation and altitude were used as limiting factors. By using the Kriging spatial interpolation function in GIS software, the potential establishment area was divided into four categories, i.e., most suitable, suitable, mildly suitable, and unsuitable. The most suitable area was in the greater part of Guangdong, central and southern Guangxi, small part of southern Yunnan, Hainan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao, suitable area was in southern Yunnan, northern Guangxi and Guangdong, southern Henan, western Anhui, greater part of Zhejiang, central and eastern Hubei, Chongqing, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Fujian, mildly suitable area was in the greater parts of Anhui and Henan, central and eastern Hebei and Shandong, Beijing, Tianjian, central and northern Jiangsu, northwestern Zhejiang and Hubei, southern Shanxi, eastern Sichuan, central and western Guizhou, and small part of central Yunnan, and unsuitable area was in the greater parts of northwest, northeast, and north China.

}, keywords = {China, distribution, Geographic Information Systems, red imported fire ant, RIFA}, issn = {1001-9332}, author = {Chen, Chen and Gong, Weirong and Hu, Baishi and Zhou, Guoliang and Bao, Yunxuan} } @article {33121, title = {Identification of red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, to invade mainland China and infestation in Wuchuan, Guangdong}, journal = {Chinese Bulletin of Entomology}, volume = {42}, year = {2005}, pages = {144{\textendash}148}, abstract = {

Red imported fire ant,\ S. invicta, from Latin America countries, including Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, is one of most dangerous and devastating pests. Specimen identification showed that this insect has infested Wuchaun, Guangdong, China. The population density of\ S. invicta, and its effects on agriculture are presented. Cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene (453 bp) from 2 populations (Florida, USA, and Wuchuan, Guangdong) of\ S. invicta\ and 4 populations of\ S. geminata\ from Guangdong was sequenced. The results of RFLP [restriction fragment length polymorphism] analysis showed the presence of one restrictive site detected by restriction endonucleases MspI in the amplified segments of\ S. geminata, but none was detected in\ S. invicta. BamHI digested the amplified segments of\ S. invicta\ but not those of\ S. geminata. The digestion of the 453-bp fragment by enzymes BamHI and MspI generated a 200-bp and a 250-bp fragment which could be used as a powerful tool for identification of these 2 species.

}, keywords = {China, distribution, red imported fire ant, RIFA}, issn = {0452-8255}, url = {http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/20053103341.html;jsessionid=AC77CABF73E31967BD787F2C106686B3$\#$}, author = {Ling, Zeng and YongYue, Lu and XiaoFang, He and WeiQiu, Zhang and GuangWen, Liang} } @book {33120, title = {The Fire Ants}, year = {2006}, pages = {744}, publisher = {Harvard University Press}, organization = {Harvard University Press}, address = {Cambridge, MA}, issn = {0674072405}, author = {Tschinkel, W.R.} } @article {33119, title = {Global Invasion History of the Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta}, journal = {Science}, volume = {331}, year = {2011}, month = {Jan-02-2013}, pages = {1066 - 1068}, abstract = {

The fire ant Solenopsis invicta is a significant pest that was inadvertently introduced into the southern United States almost a century ago and more recently into California and other regions of the world. An assessment of genetic variation at a diverse set of molecular markers in 2144 fire ant colonies from 75 geographic sites worldwide revealed that at least nine separate introductions of S. invicta have occurred into newly invaded areas and that the main southern U.S. population is probably the source of all but one of these introductions. The sole exception involves a putative serial invasion from the southern United States to California to Taiwan. These results illustrate in stark fashion a severe negative consequence of an increasingly massive and interconnected global trade and travel system.

}, keywords = {distribution, pest ants, red imported fire ant, RIFA, Solenopsis invicta}, issn = {0036-8075}, doi = {10.1126/science.1198734}, author = {Ascunce, M. S. and Yang, C.-C. and Oakey, J. and Calcaterra, L. and Wu, W.-J. and Shih, C.-J. and Goudet, J. and Ross, K. G. and Shoemaker, D.} } @inbook {32874, title = {Invasive ant management}, year = {2009}, pages = {287-304}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, organization = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, keywords = {management}, issn = {978{\textendash}0{\textendash}19{\textendash}954463{\textendash}9}, url = {http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/23048707/884109595/name/ANT+ECOLOGY\%5B1\%5D.pdf$\#$page=306}, author = {Hoffmann, Benjamin D and Abbott, Kirsti L and Davis, Peter}, editor = {Lach, L. and Parr, C. and Abbott, K.} } @article {32857, title = {Imported crazy ant displaces imported fire ant, reduces and homogenizes grassland ant and arthropod assemblages}, journal = {Bioligcal Invasions}, year = {2013}, month = {2013/04/21}, pages = {1-14}, publisher = {Springer Netherlands}, abstract = {

A recently introduced, ecologically dominant, exotic ant species, Nylanderia fulva, is invading the Southeastern United States and Texas. We evaluate how this invader impacts diversity and abundance of co-occurring ants and other arthropods in two grasslands. N. fulva rapidly attains densities up to 2 orders of magnitude greater than the combined abundance of all other ants. Overall ant biomass increases in invaded habitat, indicating that N. fulva exploits resources not fully utilized by the local ant assemblage. At high density, as N. fulva spreads, it eliminates the current ecologically dominant invasive ant, red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). Compared to imported fire ant dominated habitat, N. fulva invasion zones have lower non-ant arthropod species richness and abundance with impacts differing by trophic category. Further, N. fulva reduces abundance and species richness of the remainder of the ant assemblage and does so in a non-random manner: impacting species with small sized workers much less than species with larger workers. In these and other ant assemblages with a large exotic component, the exotics tend to be small bodied species. As a result, N. fulva almost completely eliminates regionally distributed species, but leaves globally distributed species largely unaffected, thereby systematically favoring introduced over native diversity. S. invicta impacts wildlife and arthropod assemblage structure and is nearly ubiquitous in non-forested habitats of the Southeastern United States and Texas. Its displacement by N. fulva has critical implications for the natural systems of this region.

}, keywords = {Biotic homogenization, Hairy crazy ant, Invasive ants, Nylanderia sp. nr. pubens, Paratrechina fulva, Rasberry crazy ant, Tawny crazy ant, Tramp ants}, isbn = {1387-3547}, doi = {10.1007/s10530-013-0463-6}, url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-013-0463-6$\#$}, author = {LeBrun, EdwardG and Abbott, John and Gilbert, LawrenceE} } @article {32853, title = {The current status of research on Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Mainland China}, journal = {Asian Myrmecology}, volume = {5}, year = {2012}, pages = {125-138}, abstract = {

Since the Red Imported Fire Ant\ Solenopsis invicta\ was found in late 2004 in Mainland China, researchers have paid much attention to this new invasive species. Here we summarise a series of studies on this serious invasive pest, including research on reproductive biology and ecology, ecosystem impacts, quarantine techniques, potential distribution and risk of spread, besides monitoring and management techniques. To date,\ S. invicta\ has been found in five provinces in South China and has the potential to spread further north, not only by natural dispersal but also by human transportation. The total\ S. invicta\ population increases greatly in spring and autumn, and causes serious ecological impacts because of its high population density in South China. Besides quarantine techniques intended to prevent the fire ant from further dispersal, chemical control has been the main management method until a more effective biological control agent is found. In some areas control strategies have achieved promising results.

}, keywords = {biodiversity impact, management, population ecology, quarantine techniques, Review}, url = {http://www.asian-myrmecology.org/publications/am05_127-137_lei-etal_2013.pdf}, author = {Wang, L and Lu, Y. and XU, Y. and Zeng, L.} } @proceedings {32848, title = {An Automatic On-Site Fire Ant Screening System}, year = {2012}, month = {3-5 Dec. 2012}, pages = {1-6}, abstract = {

This paper proposes the first attempt for semi-automatic screening and identification of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) in Australia. As an exotic ant species to Australia, fire ants were imported from South America in 2001 and have since been regarded as dangerous pests that could severely damage the environment and many industries. We followed two of the three major identification keys defined by entomologists and proposed: 1) A fusion of two different image features (i.e., the perpendicular median intensity and the perpendicular width) for antenna segment detection; and 2) A weighted histogramming of micropattern features for petiole classification. Our experimental results show that automatic on-site fire ant screening is feasible and the proposed weighted histogramming of micropattern features performs better than the original micropattern representation.

}, keywords = {Antennas, Australia, Feature extraction, Fires, Histograms, Image segmentation, Prototypes}, url = {http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=\&arnumber=6411725}, author = {Zhao, Sanqiang and Gao, Yongsheng and Caelli, Terry and Bracco, Fabian} } @article {4652, title = {Antweb. Ants of Texas}, volume = {2012}, number = {October 15}, year = {2012}, url = {http://www.antweb.org/texas.jsp}, author = {Lloyd Davis} } @article {4652, title = {Antweb. Ants of New Mexico}, volume = {2012}, number = {October 15}, year = {2012}, url = {http://www.antweb.org/newmexico.jsp}, author = {William Mackay} } @article {4652, title = {Antweb. Ants of Illinois}, volume = {2012}, number = {October 15}, year = {2012}, url = {http://www.antweb.org/illinois.jsp}, author = {James Trager and Laura Rericha} } @article {3760, title = {100 of the world{\textquoteright}s worst invasive alien species. A selection from the global invasive species database}, year = {2004}, note = {Part of FORMIS 08; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, verified-DPW.}, month = {November 2004}, institution = {Published by The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) a specialist group of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), 12 p}, abstract = {

First published as special lift-out in Aliens 12, December 2000. Updated and reprinted version: November 2004

}, author = {Lowe, S. and Browne, M. and Boudjelas, S. and De Poorter, M.} } @article {3667, title = {Arthropods associated with above-ground portions of the invasive tree, Melaleuca quinquenervia, in South Florida, USA}, journal = {Florida Entomologist}, volume = {86}, year = {2003}, note = {Part of FORMIS 08; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, verified-DPW.}, pages = {300-322}, abstract = {

*[Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S. T. Blake, the broad-leaved paperbark tree, has invaded ca. 202,000-ha in Florida, including portions of the Everglades National Park. We performed pre-release surveys in South Florida to determine if native or accidentally introduced arthropods exploit this invasive plant species and assess the potential for higher trophic levels to interfere with the establishment and success of future biological control agents. Here we quantify the abundance of arthropods present on the above-ground portions of saplings and small M. quinquenervia trees at 4 sites. Only 8 of the 328 arthropods collected were observed feeding on M. quinquenervia. Among the arthropods collected in the plants adventive range, 19 species are agricultural or horticultural pests. The high percentage of rare species (72.0\%), presumed to be transient or merely resting on the foliage, and the paucity of species observed feeding on the weed, suggests that future biological control agents will face little, if any, competition from pre-existing plant-feeding arthropods.]

}, author = {Costello, S.L. and Pratt, P.D. and Rayamajhi, M.B. and Center, T.D.} } @article {3668, title = {Insect biodiversity and conservation in Australasia}, journal = {Annual Review of Entomology}, volume = {55}, year = {2010}, note = {Part of FORMIS; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, }, month = {Volume publicati}, pages = {55-75}, abstract = {

*[Australasia, which consists of Australia and the adjacent islands of the southwestern Pacific Ocean, has an insect diversity approximately proportional to the land mass. This diversity is distinctive, with some major groups missing and others having radiated. Conservation of Australasian entomological biodiversity is an increasing challenge for contemporary scientists. There are 1275 described species \& subspecies (103) of Formicidae in Australia. Ants dominate ecologically in all but tropical rainforests.]

}, author = {Cranston, P.S.} } @mastersthesis {3672, title = {Species diversity and biogeography of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Louisianna, with notes on their ecology}, year = {2004}, note = {Part of FORMIS 07; from Fire Ant Literature Database; Part of the Leaf-Cutting Ant Bibliography; from-DPW, verified-DPW.}, school = {M.S. thesis, Louisiana State University. v + 290 p.}, abstract = {

*[I report the first-ever comprehensive assessment of the Louisiana ant fauna. More than 100 species from 38 genera and 8 subfamilies are included. Included are keys to all subfamilies, genera, and species with illustrations photographs, and a regional map for each species. This faunistic survey gives valuable data of biodiversity and macro/microhabitat selection of ant species.]Species considered as previously unreported from Louisiana: Ponerinae; Pachycondyla stigma; Proceratiinae; Discothyrea testacea; Proceratium silaceum; Myrmicinae; Crematogaster ashmeadi; Crematogaster atkinsoni; Crematogaster cerasi; Crematogaster lineolata; Crematogaster minutissima; Crematogaster vermiculata; Pyramica carolinensis; Pyramica hyalina; Pyramica metaxytes; Pyramica reflexa; Cardiocondyla wroughtonii; Myrmecina americana; Aphaenogaster ashmeadi; Pheidole dentata; Dolichoderinae; Tapinomia melanocephalum; Tapinomia sessile; ormicinae; Brachymyrmex obscurior; Camponotus (Colobopsis) obliqus; Camponotus atriceps; Camponotus chromaiodes; Camponotus nearcticus; Polyergus lucidus.Species that are likely to occur in Louisiana: Ecitoninae; Neivamyrmex carolinensis; Neivamyrmex texana; Amblyoponiniae; Amblyopone pallipes; Ponerinae; Odonotmachus brunneus; Hypoponera inexorata; Hypoponera punctatissima; Myrmicinae; Aphaenogaster ashmeadi; Aphaenogaster mairae; Apheanogaster tennesseensis; Aphaenogaster miamiana; Pheidole bicarinata; Pheidole crassicornis; Pheidole morrisi; Pheidole pilifera; Pheidole sitarches; Pyramica abdita; Pyramica laevinasis; Pyramica missouriensis; Tetramorium lanuginosum; Tetramorium caespitum; Dolichoderinae; Dolichoderus pustulatus; Dorymyrmex smithi; Linepithema iniquum; Forelius mccooki; Formicinae; Camponotus pylartes pylartes; Camponotus sansabeanus; Camponotus socius; Formica subsericea; Formica interga.

}, author = {Dash, S.T.} } @article {3673, title = {Species diversity of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Louisiana}, journal = {Annals of the Entomological Society of America}, volume = {101}, year = {2008}, note = {Part of FORMIS 09; from NAL{\textquoteright}s AGRICOLA; Part of the Leaf-Cutting Ant Bibliography; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, }, month = {Nov.}, pages = {1056-1066}, abstract = {

More than four decades have passed since the completion of the checklist by Moser and Blum (1960) of the ants of Louisiana. This research represents a significant contribution to and an update of their work. This report is the first-ever comprehensive assessment of the formicid fauna of Louisiana. One hundred thirty-two species from 40 genera and nine subfamilies were found. Information on how Louisiana ant fauna compares to that of adjacent states and Nearctic fauna are provided. Interesting results include the identity of exotic and pestiferous species, missing species, species lost, and previously unreported species.

}, author = {Dash, S.T. and Hooper-B{\`u}i, L.M.} } @article {3674, title = {The pest ants of Louisiana. A guide to their identification, biology, and control}, year = {2005}, note = {Part of FORMIS 06; Part of the Leaf-Cutting Ant Bibliography; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, verified-DPW.}, month = {June 2005}, institution = {Louisiana State University, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Pub. 2915}, author = {Dash, S.T. and Hooper-Bui, L.M. and Seymour, M.A.} } @article {3677, title = {Polydomy in ants: what we know, what we think we know, and what remains to be done}, journal = {Biological Journal of the Linnean Society}, volume = {90}, year = {2007}, note = {Part of FORMIS 07; from NAL{\textquoteright}s AGRICOLA; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, verified-DPW.}, month = {February 2007}, pages = {319-348}, abstract = {

The correct identification of colony boundaries is an essential prerequisite for empirical studies of ant behavior and evolution. Ant colonies function at various organizational levels, and these boundaries may be difficult to assess. Moreover, new complexity can be generated through the presence of spatially discrete subgroups within a more or less genetically homogeneous colony, a situation called polydomy. A colony is polydomous only if individuals (workers and brood) of its constituent nests function as a social and cooperative unit and are regularly interchanged among nests. This condition was previously called polycalic, and the term polydomy was used in a broader sense for a group of daughter nests of the same mother colony (implying limited female dispersal), without regard to whether these different nests continued to exchange individuals. We think that this distinction between \&$\#$39;polycaly\&$\#$39; and \&$\#$39;polydomy\&$\#$39; concerns two disparate concepts. We thus prefer the narrower definition of polydomy, which groups individuals that interact socially. Does this new level of organization affect the way in which natural selection acts on social traits? Here, after examining the history of terms, we review all ant species that have been described as expressing polydomous structures. We show that there is no particular syndrome of traits predictably associated with polydomy. We detail the existing theoretical predictions and empirical results on the ecology of polydomy, and the impact of polydomy on social evolution and investment strategies, while carefully distinguishing monogynous from polygynous species. Finally, we propose a methodology for future studies and offer ideas about what remains to be done.

}, author = {Debout, G. and Schatz, B. and Elias, M. and Mckey, D.} } @inbook {3680, title = {Exotic ants of the Florida keys (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)}, year = {1991}, note = {Part of FORMIS 00; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, verified-DPW.}, pages = {15-22}, publisher = {Bahamian Field Station}, organization = {Bahamian Field Station}, address = {San Salvador, Bahamas}, abstract = {

*[Lists 29 species he considers exotic in Table 1. C. decipiens, O. brunneus, P. concinna, P. wojciki, S. dietrichi, \& S. louisianae are listed in text table as rare native. C. planatus, C. rimosus, E. floridana, \& O. ruginodis are listed in Appendix A as species not previously considered exotic. B. obscurior, L. torrei, P. stigma, P. punctata, P. cubaensis, P. elongatus, S. corticalis, \& S. geminata are listed in Appendix B as species considered dubious natives. 84 species known from the Florida Keys, of which 29 (34\%) are exotic. Ants are indicators of environmental healthiness.]

}, author = {Deyrup, M.}, editor = {Eshbaugh, W.H.} } @inbook {3681, title = {Composition of the ant fauna of three Bahamian Islands}, year = {1998}, note = {Part of FORMIS 00; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, verified-DPW.}, pages = {23-31}, publisher = {Bahamian Field Station}, organization = {Bahamian Field Station}, address = {San Salvador, Bahamas}, abstract = {

*[91 species are know from collecting \& literature from Andros island (70 species), New Providence (69 species), \& San Salvador (44 species). There are 36 introduced species. S. invicta collected on Andros island (in 1996), New Providence (in 1995), \& San Salvador (in 1994). B. obscurior queens observed stowing away on a small plane going from Florida to San Salvador. Solenopsis laeviceps literature record questionable.]

}, author = {Deyrup, M.}, editor = {Wilson, T.K.} } @article {3683, title = {An updated list of Florida ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)}, journal = {Florida Entomologist}, volume = {86}, year = {2003}, note = {Part of FORMIS 04; from NAL{\textquoteright}S AGRICOLA; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, verified-DPW.}, pages = {43-48}, abstract = {

The Florida list (Deyrup, M.,Johnson, C.,Wheeler, G.C., \& Wheeler, J.) published in1989 is replaced to accomodate 49 additional species now know from Florida, and 34 name changes in species already on the 1989 list. Currently, 218 species of ants are reliably reported from Florida. The native species Formica subsericea \& Solenopsis xyloni, and the exotic species Myrmelachista ramulorum \& Tetramorium lanuginosum have not been found in many years and may have been extirpated. Some taxonomic notes are given.

}, author = {Deyrup, M.} } @article {3685, title = {A review of the ants of the Florida Keys}, journal = {Florida Entomologist}, volume = {71}, year = {1988}, note = {Part of FORMIS; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, verified-DPW; from ANTBIB; verified-PSW.}, month = {Published: 20 Ju}, pages = {163-176}, abstract = {

A new survey of the ants of the Florida Keys increases the known fauna from 30 to 83 species. An annotated list provides data on habitats, collection sites, and location of vouchers. Solenopsis corticalis Forel, Leptothorax torrei (Aguayo) and Monomorium ebeninum Forel are new records for the U.S. The fauna includes 27 exotics and 31 species native to the Southeastern Coastal Plain; most of the remaining species are Antillean. There are 2 possibly endemic species. The proportion of known exotics (33\%) in the fauna is the highest for any area in the U.S. There is evidence that populations of certain exotics are increasing with increasing disturbance of remaining native habitats. Species diversity in the Keys is probably limited by 1) limited habitat diversity, 2) lack of easy access to the rich ant fauna of the Neotropics, and 3) unsuitability of the climate and habitats for many species found farther north.

}, author = {Deyrup, M. and Carlin, N. and Trager, J. and Umphrey, G.} } @article {3646, title = {Lista comentada de las hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) del norte de M{\'e}xico}, journal = {Dugesiana}, volume = {17(1)}, year = {2010}, note = {Part of FORMIS 10; Part of the Leaf-Cutting Ant Bibliography; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, }, month = {Fecha de Publica}, pages = {9-36}, abstract = {

*[An annotated checklist of the ants of northern Mexico is presented based on material collected by NTP-80 traps in 43 localities during June \& October of 2005, \& literature records from the region. The list includes 290 species belonging to 57 genera in 9 subfamilies. The state with the high number of species is Baja California, with 161 known species. Ten species are reported for the first time in Mexico: Aphaenogaster huachucana crinimera Cole, 1953; Crematogaster cerasi (Fitch, 1854); Dorymyrmex bureni (Trager, 1988); D. elegans (Trager, 1988); D. flavopectus Smith, 1944; D. lipan Snelling, 1995; Myrmecocystus hammettensis Cole, 1938; Pheidole desertorum Wheeler, 1906; P. nuculiceps Wheeler, 1908, \& P. soritis Wheeler, 1908. Table 2 lists species in the CZUG collection, including collections from NTP-80 traps in 43 localities during June \& October of 2005. Table 3 lists the 35 species reported as new state records for Baja California, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, \& Tamaulipas. Appendix 1 list morphospecies in the CZUG collection.]

}, author = {Alatorre-Bracamontes, C.E. and V{\'a}squez-Bola{\~n}os, M.} } @article {3647, title = {Exotic ants in The Netherlands (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)}, journal = {Entomologische Berichten (Amsterdam)}, volume = {68}, year = {2008}, note = {Part of FORMIS 09; Part of the Leaf-Cutting Ant Bibliography; from Fire Ant Literature Database; from-DPW, verified-DPW.}, pages = {121-129}, abstract = {

*[Exotic ants in The Netherlands are examined, mainly based on interceptions by the Plant Protection Service, recent investigations in botanical gardens \& zoos, \& revision of collection material. A total of 76 species could be identified. At ports of entry, 39 species have been intercepted, that are not reported from any establishment in the country. Thirty-seven species got established indoors, 23 temporarily \& 14 locally. Most frequently encountered is Monomorium pharaonis, followed by Linepithema humile, Tapinoma melanocephalum, \& Technomyrmex albipes. The latter is now the most common species in botanical gardens and zoos, where it replaced Paratrechina longicornis \& L. humile. Many exotic species are temporary, due to pest control or environmental changes. Better hygiene in houses \& increased pest control prevented local establishment in the last decades, despite the increasing number of introductions. Moreover, most exotics are poor colonizers \& not able to settle and/or spread after arrival. Up till now, all these introductions did not have any influence on the outdoor ant fauna. The only exotics rarely encountered outdoors are Camponotus vagus, Crematogaster scutellaris, Plagiolepis taurica, \& Lasius emarginatus. They settled locally \& give no indication of spread to other locations.] In text \& table 2, Myrmicinae misselled Myrmecinae. Leafcutter \& fire ants are only quarantine interceptions or temporary infestations.

}, author = {Boer, P. and Vierbergen, B.} }