Global and temporal spread of a taxonomically challenging invasive ant, Brachyponera chinensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Keywords:
invasive species, invasion history, Euponera solitaria, Pachycondyla chinensis, PonerinaeAbstract
The Asian needle ant, Brachyponera chinensis (Emery) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is an East Asian species currently spreading through the eastern US. Although not aggressive, B. chinensis has a painful sting that can induce a severe allergic reaction in humans and disrupt native ecological communities. To document the global distribution of B. chinensis and evaluate its potential for further spread, we compiled specimen records from over 780 sites in its native and introduced ranges. Unfortunately, in its native range, B. chinensis often has been confused with morphologically similar species, resulting in some unreliable published distribution records. Therefore, we designated confirmed identification records as “B. chinensis s.s.” (sensu stricto). Our report chronicles the earliest known records of B. chinensis for 50 geographic areas in the Old World (36 countries and island groups) and New World (17 states in the US) and the recent expansion of B. chinensis into the eastern coast of the Black Sea along with new state distribution records from the US. We also provide new information on the phenology of B. chinensis. This ant species represents a potentially serious public health threat that warrants more epidemiological study.
Resumen
La hormiga aguja asiática, Brachyponera chinensis (Emery) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), es una especie de Asia oriental que se está extendiendo actualmente por el este de los Estados Unidos. Aunque no es agresiva, B. chinensis tiene una picadura dolorosa que puede inducir una reacción alérgica grave en los seres humanos e interrumpir las comunidades ecológicas nativas. Para documentar la distribución mundial de B. chinensis y evaluar su potencial para una mayor dispersión, compilamos registros de especímenes publicados y no publicados de > 780 sitios en sus rangos nativos e introducidos. Desafortunadamente, en su rango nativo, B. chinensis a menudo se ha confundido con especies morfológicamente similares que dan como resultado algunos registros de distribución publicados poco confiables. Por lo tanto, designamos los registros de identificación confirmados como “B. chinensis s.e.” (sensu stricto). Nuestro informe se documenta los primeros registros conocidos de B. chinensis en 50 áreas geográficas del Viejo Antiguo (36 países y grupos de islas) y del Nuevo Mundo (17 estados de EE. UU.). También se proporciona documentación sobre la reciente expansión de esta especie de hormiga en la costa oriental del Mar Negro junto con los nuevos registros de distribución estatal de varios de los estados americanos. También proporcionamos nueva información sobre la fenología de B. chinensis y su impacto en las poblaciones humanas. Esta especie de hormiga representa una seria amenaza que debe considerarse como un potencial problema de salud pública que merece estudio epidemiológico.
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