Floral visitation patterns of two invasive ant species and their effects on other hymenopteran visitors

Lach, Lori (2008) Floral visitation patterns of two invasive ant species and their effects on other hymenopteran visitors. Ecological Entomology, 33 (1). pp. 155-160.

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Abstract

1. Floral nectar of the native Hawaiian 'ōhi'a tree, Metrosideros polymorpha, is an important food source for several native honeycreepers and yellow-faced bees, Hylaeus spp., but is also attractive to invasive ants.

2. I undertook this study to compare floral visitation patterns of two widespread invasive ants, the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, and the big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala, and to determine their effects on nectar volume and floral hymenopteran visitors.

3. In the first year of the study, Argentine ants visited inflorescences more frequently than big-headed ants at mid-day and in the afternoon, but did not occur in higher densities than big-headed ants at any time of day. In the following year, Argentine ants visited inflorescences both more frequently and in higher densities than big-headed ants. Argentine ant density had a stronger association with nectar concentration than big-headed ant density.

4. Nectar volume did not differ between ant-excluded and ant-visited inflorescences for either ant species. However, ant density was negatively associated with nectar volume for both species.

5. Hylaeus spp. never visited inflorescences with big-headed ants, while non-native honeybees visited inflorescences with and without ants of either species in equal frequency.

6. Most studies of the effects of invasive ants on native arthropods have focused on interactions on the ground. Flowers should not be overlooked as microhabitats from which native arthropods may be displaced by invasive ants.

Item ID: 30842
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1365-2311
Keywords: biological invasion impact; Hylaeus; interference competition; Linepithema humile; Metrosideros polymorpha; nectar; Pheidole megacephala
Funders: Cornell Graduate School travel grant, EPA STAR fellowship
Date Deposited: 25 Jun 2014 00:50
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060201 Behavioural Ecology @ 40%
05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0501 Ecological Applications > 050103 Invasive Species Ecology @ 60%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960505 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Forest and Woodlands Environments @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9604 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species > 960404 Control of Animal Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Forest and Woodlands Environments @ 50%
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