Identification and succession of pest ant species in Puerto Rican housing developments
PI(s): Brown, Preston, Miller, Dini M, Brewster, Carlyle C.
Investigators:
Abstract: The invasive ant species complex was determined within three Puerto Rican housing developments of different ages (one, four, and eight years old). Frequency and relative abundance data were collected and spatiotemporal analysis mapped the location of each species within the sites.
Description: A total of 20 different ant species were identified from the sites with the major pest species being red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), big-headed ants (Pheidole spp.), crazy ants (Paratrechina longicornis), and rover ants (Brachymyrmex sp.). S. invicta and Brachymyrmex sp. were the first species to invade the one-year-old site. However, sampling data indicated that S. invicta had a high sampling frequency and was the most abundant. In the four-year-old site four different species (S. invicta, P. longicornis, Brachymyrmex sp. and Pheidole spp.) accounted for 86% of the samples collected, while additional species (Monomorium destructor, Tapinoma melanocephalum, and Cardiocondyla emeryi) made up < 15%. Sampling data from the eight-year-old site indicated that although 12 species were present, S. invicta and Pheidole spp. were both the most frequently sampled and the most abundant. From this data, it was concluded that although S. invicta is a dominant species within housing developments of all ages, many other species are able to co-exist. Furthermore, individual species like Brachymyrmex sp. and Pheidole spp. are able to challenge the dominance of S. invicta in these residential environments.
Commodities:
Resources: Dodson Urban Pest Management Laboratory
Disciplines: Ecology, Environmental Quality, Integrated Pest Management, Urban
Audiences: Environmental Groups, Extension Agents, Homeowners, Researchers
