The Behavior of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acromyrmex crassispinus</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on Trail Bifurcations and the Influence of Ant Flow on Error Rates of Nestbound Laden Workers

Ants are ordinarily faced with a succession of bifurcations along their foraging networks. Given that there is no directionality in pheromone trails, each bifurcation is potentially an opportunity for error in the trajectory of laden workers to the nest, which could entail considerable inefficiencies in the transportation of food to the colony. Leaf-cutting ants (Atta and Acromyrmex) commonly show intense traffic and complex foraging trail systems, which make them ideal organisms to study worker behavior in trail bifurcations. The behavior of leaf-cutting ants of the genus Acromyrmex in trail bifurcations is still largely unexplored. Thus, this study aimed to assess the behavior of Acromyrmex crassispinus workers on trail bifurcations and to investigate whether differences in ant flow on foraging trails influence the error rate of nestbound laden workers at trail bifurcation. There was a negative relationship between ant flow and error rate of nestbound laden workers. Most workers walked in the central part of the foraging trails but occupied a broader area of the foraging trail when the ant flow was high. The results of this study provide valuable insight into the organization of traffic flow in A. crassispinus and its impacts on the foraging strategy of the species.     

Ant–aphid relations in the south of Western Siberia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae; Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Aphids, the main suppliers of energy-rich honeydew, play an important role in the life of ants. However, the data on the trophobiotic ant–aphid associations in the majority of regions are still limited. We present the first data on the ant–aphid relations in the south of Western Siberia. Investigations were carried out in the most typical biotopes of forest-steppe and steppe zones in the territory of Novosibirsk and Kurgan regions (Russia) during 1993–2014. There were revealed 35 species of ants and 198 species of aphids. Detected 456 ant–aphid associations involved 28 ant species and 134 myrmecophilous aphids. Seven ant species were found to consume honeydew of 9 non-myrmecophilous aphids, scraping it from the plant. This behaviour is typical of subdominant and subordinate ants which do not protect their foraging areas. Ants associate with various numbers of aphid species. About 36% of ants attended aphid colonies of less than 5 species. The largest number of myrmecophilous aphids is associated with L. niger (Linnaeus, 1758) (103 species), Formica pratensis Retzius, 1783 (50), Formica rufa group (25–33), F. (Serviformica) fusca Linnaeus, 1758 (26) and F. (S.) cunicularia Latreille, 1798 (27). Different ants play unequal roles in the formation of trophobiotic interactions with aphids. Due to complex territorial and foraging behaviour, including high functional specialization among honeydew collectors, dominant ants of Formica s. str. are one of the leaders in this process. The role of L. niger and Formica ants of the subgenus Serviformica requires further detailed investigation.     

Mass Occurrence and Dominant Behavior of the European Ant Species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Formica fuscocinerea</Emphasis> (Forel)

Recently, masses of the ant Formica (Serviformica) fuscocinerea (Forel) have been occurring at numerous sites in Southern Germany. Although F. fuscocinerea is native to Southern Germany, these mass occurrences resemble ant invasions in density and dominance. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms that promote sudden mass occurrence of a previously inconspicuous ant species within its native range. To estimate the competitive dominance of F. fuscocinerea, species occurrence and abundance considering biotic and abiotic parameters were studied in a natural habitat where F. fuscocinerea co-occurred with two other common ant species, Myrmica ruginodis (Nylander) and Lasius niger (Linnaeus). To understand the species’ distribution in the field, laboratory experiments on interspecific competition were conducted. Finally, the colony structure of F. fuscocinerea was investigated with intraspecific aggression tests. Formica fuscocinerea dominated an area that, as indicated by strongly frequented foraging trails on the trees, provided important food sources, e.g. trophobionts, to the ants. Other ant species coexisted only at the periphery of the F. fuscocinerea range. Laboratory experiments revealed F. fuscocinerea as highly dominant species. Additionally, F. fuscocinerea showed a complete lack of intraspecific aggression between ants originating from distances up to 58 km, indicating weak or nonexistent behavioral boundaries among ants of physically separated nests. Since extraordinarily high worker densities, strong interspecific dominance and a lack of colony boundaries within supercolonies are considered to be important traits of several invasive ant species we conclude that the same traits also promote the dominance of F. fuscocinerea.     

Patterns of floral resource use by two dominant ant species in a biodiversity hotspot

Ecological dominance in ants is often fuelled by carbohydrate intake. Most studies have focused on the importance of invasive ant mutualistic associations with trophobionts whereas few studies have investigated the importance of floral nectar on invasion success. In this study, utilisation of temporarily available floral nectar by the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, was compared to that of the dominant native ant, Anoplolepis custodiens, within the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), a biodiversity hotspot. The effect of these two focal ant species on species composition and abundance of ground foraging ants as well as floral arthropod visitors in inflorescences of Proteacea species was assessed. Foraging activity, and trophic ecology inferred from the abundance of natural stable isotopes of Carbon (δ¹³C) and Nitrogen (δ¹⁵N), and the ratio of Carbon to Nitrogen (C:N) were compared between the two ant species during three flowering periods. Linepithema humile significantly reduced the abundance and species diversity of both above-ground and floral arthropod species abundance and composition. Linepithema humile increased its foraging activity with increasing nectar availability, switching its diet to a more herbivorous one. Anoplolepis custodiens did not respond as effectively to increasing floral nectar or negatively impact floral arthropod visitors. This study showed that the availability of floral nectar and ability of L. humile to more effectively utilise this temporarily available resource than native ants, can contribute significantly to the further spread and persistence of L. humile in natural environments in the CFR.     

Reduced ant defenses in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macaranga</Emphasis> myrmecophytes (Euphorbiaceae) infested with a winged phasmid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orthomeria cuprinus</Emphasis>

Macaranga is a tree genus that includes many species of myrmecophytes, which are plants that harbor ant colonies within hollow structures known as domatia. The symbiotic ants (plant–ants) protect their host plants against herbivores; this defense mechanism is called ‘ant defense’. A Bornean phasmid species Orthomeria cuprinus feeds on two myrmecophytic Macaranga species, Macaranga beccariana and Macaranga hypoleuca, which are obligately associated with Crematogaster ant species. The phasmids elude the ant defense using specialized behavior. However, the mechanisms used by the phasmid to overcome ant defenses have been insufficiently elucidated. We hypothesized that O. cuprinus only feeds on individual plants with weakened ant defenses. To test the hypothesis, we compared the ant defense intensity in phasmid-infested and non-infested M. beccariana trees. The number of plant–ants on the plant surface, the ratio of plant–ant biomass to tree biomass, and the aggressiveness of plant–ants towards experimentally introduced herbivores were significantly lower on the phasmid-infested trees than on the non-infested trees. The phasmid nymphs experimentally introduced into non-infested trees, compared with those experimentally introduced into phasmid-infested trees, were more active on the plant surface, avoiding the plant–ants. These results support the hypothesis and suggest that ant defenses on non-infested trees effectively prevent the phasmids from remaining on the plants. Thus, we suggest that O. cuprinus feeds only on the individual M. beccariana trees having decreased ant defenses, although the factors that reduce the intensity of the ant defenses remain unclear.     

Larvae of the exotic predatory ladybird <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platynaspidius maculosus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on citrus trees: prey aphid species and behavioral interactions with aphid-attending ants in Japan

An aphidophagous ladybird, Platynaspidius maculosus (Weise) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is originally distributed in China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The ladybird has recently intruded into the southern and central parts of Japan. The present study found that the larvae of this ladybird preyed on three aphid species, Aphis spiraecola, Aphis gossypii, and Toxoptera citricidus (all Hemiptera: Aphididae), feeding on young shoots of various Citrus species in August to early October in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan. Laboratory rearing of the sampled larvae confirmed that the larvae completed their development (adult emergence) by consuming each of the three aphid species. The ladybird larvae were observed foraging in aphid colonies attended by one of the four ants, Lasius japonicus, Pristomyrmex punctatus, Formica japonica, and Camponotus japonicus (all Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Field observations revealed that the foraging/feeding larvae were almost completely ignored by honeydew-collecting ants even when they physically contacted each other. Thus, in Japan, the larvae of the exotic ladybird exploit colonies of the three aphid species attended by one of the four ant species on many Citrus species. On the basis of the results, I discuss the possibility of the ladybird’s reproduction on citrus trees in Japan, probable adaptations of the ladybird larvae to aphid-attending ants, and potential impacts of the ladybird on native insect enemies attacking ant-attended aphids on citrus.     

Complex flowers and rare pollinators: Does ant pollination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ditassa</Emphasis> show a stable system in Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae)?

If on one hand, ant pollination is rare, on the other Asclepiadoideae flowers are the most complex among Eudicots. Both themes are exciting in pollination biology. Although there are records of ants with the ability to remove the pollinarium on this subfamily, the role of these insects as pollinators is not yet known. Therefore, we investigated the interaction between flowers and ants, as well as the associated features in two species of Asclepiadoideae, Ditassa capillaris and D. hastata. The studied species were both visited by Cephalotes inaequalis and Dorymyrmex thoracicus. We analyzed the common traits of ant pollination of the plant species, recorded the number of visit by ants, and carried out experiments of selective pollination, developing an effectivity index. Both Ditassa species have common traits of ant pollination, such as small bright flowers with exposed floral resource. The pollinarium is clip-shaped and resistant to the metapleural gland, which ensures effective pollination. Dorymyrmex thoracicus is a very frequent but not very efficient pollinator, whereas Cephalotes inaequalis is more efficient though at a lower frequency. Therefore, the total contributions of both ants to the pollination of both Ditassa species are similar. The features of both Ditassa species which favor ant pollination, include some synapomorphies within Asclepiadoideae. Furthermore, the efficiency of the ants as pollinators to the reproductive success of the plants was similar despite the different behaviors observed in both ant species. Hence, we suggest that the role of ants in pollination within this subfamily has been neglected.     

Ambush Predation of Stingless Bees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetragonisca angustula</Emphasis>) by the Solitary-Foraging Ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ectatomma tuberculatum</Emphasis>

Social insect colonies are high-value foraging targets for insectivores, prompting the evolution of complex colony defensive adaptations as well as specialized foraging tactics in social insect predators. Predatory ants that forage on other social insects employ a diverse range of behaviors targeted at specific prey species. Here, we describe a solitary foraging strategy of the ant Ectatomma tuberculatum, on nest guards of the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula. We observed multiple instances of E. tuberculatum ambushing and successfully capturing the hovering and standing guards of T. angustula near nest entrances. The unique hovering behavior of the guard caste of this bee species, an adaptation to frequent cleptoparasitism by other stingless bees, may make these guards particularly vulnerable to ground-based, ambush attacks by E. tuberculatum. Likewise, the behavior of the foraging ants appears to adaptively exploit the defensive formations and activity patterns of these bees. These observations suggest an adaptive and targeted predatory strategy aimed at gathering external guard bees as prey from these heavily fortified nests.     

Assessing Microhabitat Cover and Distance Effects on Harvester Ant Intraspecific Seed Preference

Harvester ants have long been known to exhibit interspecific seed preference and this preference has been thought to be associated with distance in a manner analogous with optimal foraging theory. However, little attention has been given to how intraspecific seed preference changes or how microhabitat (i.e. the composition of the terrain that the ants are moving through) impacts seed harvesting preference. We addressed these questions by conducting seed harvesting experiments in three different Ephedra viridis populations that contain harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex occidentalis) by using only E. viridis seeds and conducting trials over multiple distances and varying degrees of microhabitat cover. We found that increased microhabitat cover and increased seed mass decrease the likelihood of E. viridis seeds being harvested much more dramatically than distance. However, we found no effect of distance or microhabitat cover on which E. viridis seeds were harvested. We conclude that harvester ant E. viridis seed preference is distance and microhabitat independent. However, increases in microhabitat cover negatively impacts the likelihood of P. occidentalis harvesting E. viridis seeds of any size. Our findings suggest that harvester ant foraging behavior is influenced by structure of the microhabitat more than by distance. This provides a new context on how harvester ant foraging behavior and effectiveness should be considered.     

Lethal Effect and Behavioral Responses of Leaf-Cutting Ants to Essential Oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pogostemon cablin</Emphasis> (Lamiaceae) and Its Nanoformulation

Leaf-cutting ants belonging to the genus Atta (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) are important pests in agricultural and forest environments. In the present study, we evaluated the formicidal activity of the essential oil of Pogostemon cablin and its nanoformulation on the leaf-cutting ants: Atta opaciceps (Borgmeier, 1939), Atta sexdens (Linnaeus, 1758), and Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908. The nanoformulation was developed by magnetic stirring using polyoxyethylene (36%), pure ethanol (36%), essential oil of P. cablin (18%), and water (10%). Bioassays of acute toxicity by fumigation and behavioral bioassays in treated arenas, with and without choice, were performed. The essential oil of P. cablin and its nanoformulation demonstrated efficient insecticidal activity and irritability to ant species. The concentration required to kill 50% of workers varied from 1.06 to 2.10 μL L^?1, with a mean time to death of less than or equal to 42 h. The essential oil of P. cablin and its nanoformulation reduced the displacement and velocity speed of the workers of A. opaciceps and A. sexdens rubropilosa in totally treated arenas. In the bioassays with choices, the three species of ants walked less and at a greater speed on the treated side of arena. This work demonstrates the potential of the essential oil of P. cablin and its nanoformulation to the generation of new formicidal products.     

Molecular characterisation of four echinostomes (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) from birds in New Zealand,with descriptions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinostoma novaezealandense</Emphasis> n. sp. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinoparyphium poulini</Emphasis> n. sp.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of echinostome specimens (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) recovered in one Anas platyrhynchos L. and one Cygnus atratus (Latham) (Anseriformes: Anatidae) from New Zealand revealed the presence of two known species, Echinostoma miyagawai Ishii, 1932 and Echinoparyphium ellisi (Johnston & Simpson, 1944) and two species new to science. Comparative morphological and phylogenetic analyses supported the distinct species status of Echinostoma novaezealandense n. sp. ex Branta canadensis (L.), A. platyrhynchos and C. atratus, and Echinoparyphium poulini n. sp. ex C. atratus. Echinostoma novaezealandense n. sp., a species of the “revolutum” species complex characterised by the possession of a head collar armed with 37 spines, keyed down to E. revolutum but was distinguished from the latter in having a much narrower body with almost parallel margins, longer oesophagus, wider cirrus-sac, larger seminal vesicle, much smaller ventral sucker, ovary, Mehlis’ gland and testes, more anteriorly located ovary and testes, and distinctly smaller eggs (81–87 × 42–53 vs 106–136 × 55–70 µm). This new species appears similar to Echinostoma acuticauda Nicoll, 1914 described in Australia but differs in having a longer forebody, more posteriorly located ovary and testes, and much smaller eggs (81–87 × 42–53 vs 112–126 × 63–75 µm). Echinoparyphium poulini n. sp. is differentiated from the four species of Echinoparyphium possessing 37 collar spines considered valid as follows: from E. chinensis Ku, Li & Chu, 1964 in having a much smaller body, four (vs five) angle spines and simple seminal vesicle (vs bipartite); from E. schulzi Matevosyan, 1951 in having a less robust body at a comparable body length, much smaller ventral sucker, ovary and testes, and longer but narrower eggs (87–109 × 50–59 vs 70–85 × 60–84 µm); and from the two smaller forms, E. serratum Howell, 1968 and E. aconiatum Dietz, 1909, in a number of additional metrical features correlated with body size and especially in the possession of much larger collar spines. Partial fragments of the mitochondrial nad1 and 28S rRNA genes were amplified for representative isolates of the four species and analysed together with sequences for Echinostoma spp. and Echinoparyphium spp. available on GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial nad1 gene revealed congruence between the molecular data and species identification/delineation based on morphology; this was corroborated by the 28S rDNA sequence data.     

Spatial and Temporal Variation of Plant Fragment Removal by Two Species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atta</Emphasis> Leaf-Cutting Ants

Leaf-cutting ants are responsible for much of living plant fragment removal in Neotropical regions, causing major damage in both in natural and agricultural systems. To understand the variation in plant fragment removal by leaf-cutting ants and the influence that temporal and spatial factors have on such variation, we evaluated plant fragments collected by two ant species, Atta laevigata and A. sexdens rubropilosa in different seasons (rainy and dry) and in different forest systems (natural area of cerrado sensu stricto and monoculture of Eucalyptus sp.) in 2014 in Goianésia, Goiás, Brazil. Heavier plant fragments were removed during the dry season and in monoculture areas; A. laevigata removed heavier fragments than A. sexdens rubropilosa. Furthermore, we observed a positive association between the weight of collected fragments and the weight of worker ants and higher weights in A. laevigata. The study shows that the weight of plant fragments removed by leaf-cutting ants is conditioned temporally and spatially, and by the ant species involved. More detailed studies of each of these factors are need to better understand the dynamics of these foraging ants and how abiotic and biotic factors affect this process.     

Composition of harvested seeds and seed selection by the invasive tropical fire ant, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solenopsis geminata</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Taiwan

Solenopsis geminata (F.) is an invasive ant that is widely distributed in weedy areas and agricultural fields in Taiwan. Previous studies have found that S. geminata harvests the seeds of numerous plants. In the present study, we further investigated the composition of harvested seeds in ant nests and seed selection by workers. The seed caches in S. geminata nests sampled in eight areas in Taiwan suggest that the seeds harvested by workers were diverse and belonged to 52 plant species in 17 plant families. Twenty-three species (44%) belong to the family Gramineae, and most of the seeds weighed from 0.02 to 2.29 mg, which might suggest that these are the main seeds harvested by S. geminata from their habitat. Ten common species with similar seed weights were used to compare the seed preferences of workers from two experimental sites. The results suggest that the seed preference was different between the two experimental sites. The seeds of Casuarina equisetifolia showed the most obvious difference in seed removal speed, which might suggest that S. geminata potentially prefers the encountered seed species in the habitat. The various plant species in the ant nests and seed preference suggest that fire ants easily accept newly encountered plant species. As more than half of the plant species (52%) and the total seed number (63%) belonged to exotic species, the role of S. geminata might be negative because it tends to harvest exotic seeds and has a high opportunity to improve the establishment of exotic seedlings.     

Behavioral strategy of a lycaenid (Lepidoptera) caterpillar against aggressive ants in a Brazilian savanna

Myrmecophily is widespread in lycaenid butterflies, in which ants receive food resources and, in turn, protect caterpillars against natural enemies. This interaction ranges from obligate myrmecophily, in which immatures are invariably associated with ants and are dependent on ants for survival, and facultative myrmecophily, in which larvae are not dependent on ants for survival, but the presence of the latter may increase larvae survival. Lycaenids also include non-myrmecophilous butterflies, which do not have positive associations with ants and have developed strategies to avoid being attacked or preyed upon by them. In this study, we examined the relationship between the lycaenid Michaelus ira and two ant species associated with Distictella elongata (Bignoniaceae). This plant has extrafloral nectaries and is patrolled by Camponotus crassus and Ectatomma tuberculatum. Morphological analyses revealed that M. ira larvae have ant organs, such as dorsal nectary organs and perforated cupolas, structures associated with myrmecophily. We performed larval exposure experiments in the field, predicting that, in the absence of myrmecophily, the butterfly larva would present strategies to avoid ant attack. Results showed that larvae were attacked by both ant species. To escape ant molestation, larvae lived and fed inside silk-sealed D. elongata flower buds. We concluded that the M. ira bud-sheltering behavior was a defensive strategy against these ant species, while the dorsal nectary organs were apparently nonfunctional. Nonetheless, myrmecophily, in general, cannot be excluded in M. ira since relationships with other ant species may exist.     

Foraging habitats and floral resource use by colonies of long- and short-tongued bumble bee species in an agricultural landscape with kabocha squash fields

Bumble bees pollinate and forage on flowers of crop and wild plants in agricultural landscapes. These interactions may depend on landscape patterns and bumble bee traits. We studied the abundance, colony density, and foraging range in long-tongued Bombus diversus Smith and short-tongued B. hypocrita Pérez, and evaluated their visits to flowers of wild plants and cultivated kabocha squash (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne). In forests in a farmland, B. hypocrita workers were trapped more frequently in the canopy. Full-sibs determined by nuclear microsatellite genotypes among workers collected in the farmland showed higher colony density and a larger foraging radius in B. hypocrita (30.8 km^?2 and 848 m) than in B. diversus (8.3 km^?2 and 723 m), respectively. Regarding wild plants, workers more frequently visited shallow flowers in B. hypocrita and deep flowers in B. diversus. These results suggest that bumble bees with different traits forage on different wild flowers in different habitats. Squash flowers were visited by both bumble bee species at similar frequency in the latter period of colony growth when males and new queens appeared. Composition of full-sib workers visiting squash and wild flowers did not depend on the number of collected workers of individual colonies, indicating that foraging on squash flowers was not associated with colony growth. Thus, growth and reproduction of bumble bee colonies may be supported by various wild plants and cultivated squash, respectively.     

Ants Do Not Traverse the Silk of Adult Female <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nephila clavipes</Emphasis> (Linnaeus) Webs

Many organisms use chemicals to deter enemies. Some spiders can modify the composition of their silk to deter predators from climbing onto their webs. The Malaysian golden orb-weaver Nephila antipodiana (Walckenaer) produces silk containing an alkaloid (2-pyrrolidinone) that functions as a defense against ant invasion—ants avoid silk containing this chemical. In the present study, we test the generality of ants’ silk avoidance behavior in the field. We introduced three ant species to the orb webs of Nephila clavipes (Linnaeus) in the tropical rainforest of La Selva, Costa Rica. We found that predatory army ants (Eciton burchellii Westwood) as well as non-predatory leaf-cutting ants (Atta cephalotes Linnaeus and Acromyrmex volcanus Wheeler) avoided adult N. clavipes silk, suggesting that an additional species within genus Nephila may possess ant-deterring silk. Our field assay also suggests that silk avoidance behavior is found in multiple ant species.     

Mortal combat between ants and caterpillars: an ominous threat to the endangered Schaus swallowtail butterfly (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus</Emphasis>) in the Florida Keys,USA

The federally endangered Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus) has reached critically low numbers. Exotic ants are a potential threat to H. a. ponceanus and other rare butterflies as they can attack immature stages. Ant surveys conducted in subtropical dry forests in Biscayne National Park documented ant species diversity and relative abundance. A caterpillar predator exclusion experiment using physical barriers in different combinations evaluated caterpillar survivorship of both early and late instar caterpillars exposed to different threats. Ant-caterpillar interactions were also documented by placing caterpillars on plants and observing physical interactions between caterpillars and ants. A total of 1418 ants comprising 25 ant species was captured and identified. In canopies of H. a. ponceanus host plants, 243 ants comprising 12 species were found. The four most common ants collected in the host plant canopies were Pseudomyrmex gracilis, Camponotus planatus, Cremastogaster ashmeadi, and Camponotus floridanus. The predator exclusion experiment revealed survivorship was significantly lower for early and late instar caterpillars without any physical barrier, as well as for early instars not protected by a mesh cage. Pseudomyrmex gracilis and C. floridanus were more aggressive towards caterpillars in comparison to other ant species; these two species ranked first and second in the “ant danger index” ranking predatory abilities of the four most common ant species. Pseudomyrmex gracilis is a common arboreal exotic ant in Biscayne National Park and presents a major threat to caterpillars during their earliest life stages.     

Host ant use of the Alcon blue butterfly at the northern range margin

In myrmecophilous insects, interactions with ants are often a key factor determining persistence of their populations. Regional variation in host ant use is therefore an essential aspect to consider to provide adequate conservation practices for such species. In this study, we examined this important facet of species’ ecology in an endangered myrmecophilous butterfly Phengaris (=Maculinea) alcon (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). The investigations conducted in peripheral populations in Estonia allowed us to expand the knowledge of its host ant use to the northern distribution limit of the species. Our data indicate that in its northernmost populations, the xerophilous ecotype of Phengaris alcon is primarily parasitizing a single host ant species, Myrmica schencki. The data collected are in line with the emerging evidence suggesting that peripheral and core populations of P. alcon use different host ants, and peripheral populations tend to display higher host ant specificity. We also show that, at its northern range margin, P. alcon might be more limited by the availability of its sole larval food plant in the region, Gentiana cruciata, than the densities of its host ant. Finally, we found a strong negative correlation between Myrmica spp. and Lasius spp. colony densities, suggesting that interspecific competition between ants could have a substantial influence on host ant availability of Phengaris butterflies, and thus should be taken into account in conservation plans of these species.     

Ants Associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Turnera subulata</Emphasis> (Turneraceae): Elaiosome Attraction,Seed Dispersion and Germination

Symbiosis between plants and ants include examples in which the plant provides shelter and/or food for ants that, in turn, act in the defense or in the dispersion of seeds from the host plant. Although traditionally referred as mutualistic, the results of these interactions may vary with the ecological context in which patterns are involved. A range of species have facultative association with Turnera subulata (Turneraceae). Here, using behavioral bioassays, we investigated the effects of the most frequent ant species associated with T. subulata (Brachymyrmex sp.1, Camponotus blandus (Smith), Dorymyrmex sp.1, Crematogaster obscurata Emery, and Solenopsis invicta Buren) in the dispersion of plant host seeds and in the number of seedlings around the associated ant nests. We also evaluated the effects of these ant species in the germination of T. subulata seeds, in the consumption of elaiosome, and in the attractiveness to elaiosome odor. Our results showed that the ant species associated with T. subulata presented variation in the attraction by the odor and in the rate of consumption of the elaiosomes. However, none of the ant species studied contributed significantly to the increase of seed germination and seedling growth. Our results suggest that the consumption of the elaiosome by ant species is not a determinant factor to the success of germination of T. subulata. However, such species could contribute indirectly to seed germination by carrying seeds to sites more fertile to germination. In general, our results help to elucidate the results of ecological interactions involving ants and plants.     

Stratification of the ant species (Hymenoptera,Formicidae) in the urban broadleaf woodlands of the city of Kiev

Investigations were carried out in June–August 2012 and 2013 in broadleaf forests and planted stands of the northern red oak Quercus rubra in Kiev. The ant visitation rates of 3–6 most abundant plant species within each vegetation layer were analyzed. In all, 16 species of ants were found in the broadleaf forest (Quercus robur + Acer spp. + Carpinus betulus), with the dominance of three species: Formica rufa, Lasius fuliginosus, and L. emarginatus. Eight ant species occurred in Q. rubra stands with the undergrowth of Acer campestre and A. platanoides; the dominant species were Lasius fuliginosus and L. emarginatus. The northern red oak stands with conspecific undergrowth had only four ant species with no dominants among them. Plants with the highest ant visitation rates in the herbage layer of the broadleaf forest were the invasive Impatiens parviflora and the native Aegopodium podagraria. Ants were rare or absent on the remaining herbs: Impatiens noli-tangere, Carex sylvatica, Stellaria holostea, and Galium odoratum. The herbage layer was mostly visited by influents, the dominants being represented only by Lasius emarginatus. Within the shrub layer, ants most frequently visited the undergrowth of the maple Acer platanoides, often harboring colonies of the aphid Periphyllus lyropictus; the highest visitation rates were recorded in the dominants L. emarginatus and L. fuliginosus. The arboreal layer had the highest visitation rate and was most often visited by the dominants Lasius fuliginosus, L. emarginatus, and F. rufa. The common oak Q. robur was the most visited tree in broadleaf forests. In addition to providing ants with food (colonies of the aphids Lachnus roboris and Stomaphis quercus, and also phytophagous insects and other invertebrates), these trees were used for nesting by the dominants L. fuliginosus and L. emarginatus. The presence of aphid colonies was also typical of ripe trees and undergrowth of the maple A. platanoides, the second-visited tree in broadleaf forests. The common hornbeam Carpinus betulus was the least frequently visited, though some ant species, usually L. emarginatus, nested in the trunks and branches of old trees. The vertical distribution of ants in broadleaf forests and red oak stands formed two clusters: the influents occupied the lower (herbage and shrub) vegetation layers, while the subdominants and dominants occupied the upper (shrub and arboreal) ones. The smallest number of ant species (1 or 2) in all the vegetation layers was recorded in the areas with F. rufa; areas with L. fuliginosus had twice as many species; the greatest numbers of ant species were found in the areas with L. emarginatus and in those without dominants. This pattern may result from different territoriality of the dominants: the strongest in F. rufa (defending the whole territory) and the weaker in the other two species (defending only a part of the territory). Plants of all the vegetation layers varied in their attractiveness to ants. As a result, the layers had a mosaic structure in their vertical (between-layer) and horizontal (between different plant species within one layer) arrangement. From 60 to 100% of plants of certain species were visited by ants while plants of other species were not visited at all. The main reason for visiting plants by ants was the presence of aphid colonies.