Brachymyrmex patagonicus: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 04:04, 18 April 2023

Species of ant

Brachymyrmex patagonicus is a species of ant in the family Formicidae.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7] B. patagonicus, commonly known as the dark rover ant, is native to Argentina and Paraguay ^[8]^[9]. They were first reported in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana in 1978 from a single colony collected in 1976.^[10] It is believed that the species was introduced through New Orleans, which is a common entry point for many tropical species, but other locations such as Mobile, Alabama, or Pensacola, Florida, are also likely.^[8] For many years B. patagonicus, B. musculus, and B. obscurior were misidentified as being separate species but after a comparison of specimens from the Louisiana State University Arthropod Collection (LSUC), it was found that all three were the same species.^[8] B. patagonicus is considered a nuisance pest due to their tendency to infest man made structures but they have received a lack of attention because they do not bite, sting, or carry disease.^[8]

Identification[edit]

Dark rover ants are small brown ants that are typically less than 2.5 millimeters in length.^[11] Worker ants in this species range from 1.0mm to 2.0mm, whereas queens are around 3.0mm.^[12] Males are around 1.0mm in length.^[12] The antennae of the worker ants contain nine segments which is common among all species of Brachymyrmex. ^[13]^[12] B. patagonicus have long hairs along the mesosoma and relatively large eyes…

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 B. ”patagonicus” commonly form their colonies in the soil, at bases of trees, in leaf litter, piles of wood, and trash piles.{{Cite journal |last=Tamayo |first=David |date=2011 |title=Dark rover ant: Brachymyrmex patagonicus Mayr |journal=Florida Cooperative Extension Service document |volume=EENY-498}} In southern areas of the United states, colonies are found in both natural and disturbed areas but are more prevalent in areas near human activity. In landscaped areas, they are commonly found in [[mulch]] and man made structures. Laboratory studies have shown B. ”patagonicus” have a preference for moist environments{{Cite journal |last=Miguelena |first=Javier |last2=Baker |first2=Paul |date=2014-11-04 |title=Evaluation of Liquid and Bait Insecticides against the Dark Rover Ant (Brachymyrmex patagonicus) |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects5040832 |journal=Insects |volume=5 |issue=4 |pages=832–848 |doi=10.3390/insects5040832 |issn=2075-4450}}
+== Interaction with other species ==
+B. patagonicus are found to coexist with many native and introduced species including those typically intolerant to other ant species such as ”[[Red imported fire ant|Solenopsis invicta]]” and [[Southern fire ant|”Solenopsis xyloni”.]]{{Cite journal |last=MacGown |first=Joe A. |last2=Hill |first2=JoVonn G. |last3=Deyrup |first3=Mark A. |date=2007-09 |title=BRACHYMYRMEX PATAGONICUS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE), AN EMERGING PEST SPECIES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1653/0015-4040(2007)90[457:bphfae]2.0.co;2 |journal=Florida Entomologist |volume=90 |issue=3 |pages=457–464 |doi=10.1653/0015-4040(2007)90[457:bphfae]2.0.co;2 |issn=0015-4040}}  It is hypothesized that B. patagonicus may play an important role in the regulation of the populations of the invasive cactus moth [[Cactoblastis cactorum|(Cactoblastic cactorum]]).{{Cite journal |last=Robbins |first=Meredith |last2=Miller |first2=Tom E. X. |date=2009-06 |title=Patterns of Ant Activity onOpuntia stricta(Cactaceae), a Native Host-Plant of the Invasive Cactus Moth,Cactoblastis cactorum(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1653/024.092.0231 |journal=Florida Entomologist |volume=92 |issue=2 |pages=391–393 |doi=10.1653/024.092.0231 |issn=0015-4040}} This theory is currently under investigation.
 ==References==