Evaluation of gray-black spiny ant (Polyrhachis dives) as a potential species strengthening biotic resistance to fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) re-invasion
Date Issued
2014
Date
2014
Author(s)
Wu, Yueh-Hua
Abstract
Although bait broadcast is able to achieve local suppression of fire ant population in most of infested areas, re-invasion by fire ants into previously controlled area from periphery represents a significant challenge if areas with long-term fire ant-free are the ultimate goal. Accordingly, how to mitigate the re-invasion risk, such as weakening peripheral populations of fire ants or increasing the strength of biotic resistance of bait-controlled areas, seems highly prioritized. This study aims the latter strategy and attempts to use native ants that are competent of preventing dispersing fire ants from establishment via predation or competition. The gray-black spiny ant, Polyrhachis dives, a native ant species that was frequently observed coexisting with fire ants, was selected for further evaluation and experimental tests. Behavioral assays (individual interaction) showed that workers of P. dives exhibit a series of aggressive behaviors when encountered with fire ants, suggesting that this native ant may hold the key to interfere the success rate of re-invasion by fire ants. Furthermore, this study also discussed how the presence of honeydew-producing insects (for instance, invasive mealybugs, Paracoccus marginatus, in this study) influences the competitive relationship between these two ant species since carbohydrate from honeydew is important resource for which both ant species exploit and compete. Result shows that Po. dives has high aggressive behavior and territoriality and be able to damage the colony of S. invicta by the physical attacks. When the Pa. marginaius had been joined to this relationship, the increase sense of territory subjoins the encounter opportunities and competition of those two ants.
Subjects
入侵紅火蟻
生物抗性
木瓜秀粉介殼蟲
黑棘蟻
Type
thesis
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