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Seasonal variations in foraging by ants (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) in two New South Wales citrus orchards
- Source :
- Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture; 1998, Vol. 38 Issue: 8
- Publication Year :
- 1998
-
Abstract
- Summary. Pitfall traps were used to monitor the seasonal activity of ants in 2 citrus orchards in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of south-western New South Wales for 2224 months (November 1992August/October 1994). Twenty-four species were recorded (22 species at Yanco and 18 species at Cudgel), with Iridomyrmex rufoniger group species being numerically dominant at both sites (63 and 59% of total captures at Yanco and Cudgel respectively). Meat ants, Iridomyrmex purpureus (F.Smith), were a significant (9%) component of trap captures at Yanco where regular soil cultivation was practised, but were less common (<1% of captures) at Cudgel. Sample species richness was generally greater at the Yanco site (mean 9.3 species per trapping interval compared with 6.6 at Cudgel). Total ant captures and sample species richness showed a positive correlation with mean daily temperatures over trapping intervals. Variations in seasonal activity were shown by the numerically dominant species, with 2 distinct patterns being evident. Whilst all taxa were less active during winter, some species [I. rufoniger group sp. 2, Pheidole sp., Rhytidoponera metallica (F.Smith)] continued to forage, albeit at reduced levels. Other species of Iridomyrmex including I. rufoniger group sp. 1 and I. purpureus ceased foraging almost entirely during JuneSeptember. Iridomyrmex species are known to interfere with the biological control of honeydew-producing insects in citrus orchards, and our results indicate that ant control programs in southern New South Wales should be initiated in late Augustearly September to achieve optimal results.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 08161089
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs1034557