Territorial status-quo between the big-headed ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Authors

  • Thomas Chouvenc Department of Entomology and Nematology, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 3205 College Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA
  • Aaron J. Mullins Department of Entomology and Nematology, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 3205 College Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA
  • Nan-Yao Su Department of Entomology and Nematology, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 3205 College Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA

Keywords:

Pheidole megacephala, Coptotermes formosanus, competition, planar arena, displacement

Abstract

The big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) are 2 invasive species in south Florida, and both have a major economic and ecological impact. Because both species are often associated with man-made structures, we investigated how the 2 species interacted when their tunneling system connected, to determine if the big-headed ant had the ability to predate or displace subterranean termite colonies. It was previously suggested that the 2 species had a predator-prey interaction. However in this study we showed that C. formosanus can defend its territory against P. megacephala with minimal loss, and we therefore re-described their interaction as a status quo for habitat competition. It is unlikely that a competitive displacement would take place between C. formosanus and P. megacephala because of their ability to successfully defend their respective nests.

 

Resumen

La hormiga cabezona, Pheidole megacephala (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) y la termita subterránea de Formosa, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) son dos especies invasoras en el sur de la Florida y ambas tienen un importante impacto económico y ecológico. Debido a que ambas especies se asocian a menudo con las estructuras hechas por el hombre, se investigó cómo las dos especies interactuaban cuando su sistema de túneles estan conectados, para determinar si la hormiga cabezona tenía la habilidad de atacar antes o desplazar a las colonias de termitas subterráneas. Fue sugerido anteriormente que las dos especies tuvieron una interacción depredador-presa; sin embargo, en este estudio se demostró que C. formosanus pueden defender su territorio frente a P. megacephala con una pérdida mínima, y por lo tanto re-describe su interacción como una competencia equilibrada. Debido al éxito ecológico de P. megacephala, su presencia en el sur de Florida podría ser interpretado como un factor para disminuir la propagación de las termitas subterráneas invasoras directamente competitivos por el hábitat, pero es poco probable que un desplazamiento competitivo tendría lugar entre C. formosanus y P. megacephala debido a su capacidad para defender con éxito sus respectivos nidos.

 

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Issue

Vol. 98, No. 1 (March 2015)

Section

Research Papers

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