The crazy ant (<i>Anoplolepis longipes</i> (Jerd.) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)) in Seychelles, and its chemical control

Lewis, Theodore; Cherrett, J. M.; haines, ian; Haines, J. B.; Mathias, Paul

doi:10.1017/s0007485300006520

Cited by 32 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…However, the abundance and effects of A. gracilipes vary temporally and spatially. For example in the Seychelles, well-established colonies of invasive yellow crazy ants dramatically declined for unknown reasons (Hill et al, 2003;Lewis et al 1976). More recently in the Pacific atoll nation of Tokelau, two distinct populations of A. gracilipes were observed, one with densities of the order of magnitude higher compared to the other population and with considerably different effects on resident communities (Abbott et al, 2007;Lester et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and genetic diversity of three bacterial endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, and Rhizobiales) associated with the invasive yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes)

2011

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Invasive species carry pathogens, parasites and mutualistic microorganisms into their new range. We examined the prevalence and genetic diversity of three bacterial endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, and Rhizobiales) in four Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith) populations in the Pacific region, four populations from mainland Australia and one population from Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. Wolbachia was found in eight of the nine sampling sites, with between 31.8 and 100% of ants infected. These infection rates are substantially higher than those previously observed for other invasive ants such as Linepithema humile and Solenopsis invicta. All sequences of Wolbachia were genetically identical. Arsenophonus was observed in five of the nine sampling sites, with infection rates ranging between 4.5 and 50.8%. Like Wolbachia, Arsenophonus can modify the sex-ratio of its hosts via malekilling. Arsenophonus was found to co-occur with Wolbachia in the same ants in five of the nine sampling sites. Rhizobiales is a clade of symbiotic bacteria mostly found in herbivorous ants. These bacteria help provide nitrogen to their hosts and were found in only three of the nine sampling sites with an infection rate of 1.6-11.8%. It also co-occurred with the other bacteria. There was no genetic variation in Arsenophonus and Rhizobiales samples, with the exception of a sequence from one Arsenophonus sample in Samoa that differed by a single base pair. These bacterial endosymbionts may contribute to the population variability in A. gracilipes and may be manipulated for the purpose of pest management.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and genetic diversity of three bacterial endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, and Rhizobiales) associated with the invasive yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes)

2011

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“…It occurs on several islands in the Indian Ocean including Zanzibar, Mauritius, Reunion, Rodriguez and Agalega, and reached Mahe in the Seychelles about 1962 (Lewis et al, 1976). Mahe is the only island in the Seychelles group infested with A. longipes, although an outbreak (which was successfully eradicated) occurred on the nearby island of Praslin in 1975, From the literature, A. longipes is regarded as a pest or a beneficial species in different situations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The introduction and spread of A. longipes on Mahe until 1973 is described elsewhere (Lewis et al, 1976). In this paper, more up-to-date information on its distribution is given and its status as a pest in the Seychelles is assessed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pest status of the crazy ant, Anoplolepis longipes (Jerdon) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in the Seychelles

haines¹,

Haines²

1978

Bull. Entomol. Res.

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On Mahe in the Seychelles, Anoplolepis longipes (Jerd.) is a pest, mainly because of the nuisance it causes to man and domestic animals but also because it increases the numbers of sap-feeding insects and the occurrence of sooty mould on plants. The most important sap-feeding insect associated with sooty mould on citrus and cinnamon was Ceroplastes rubens Mask., the numbers of which sometimes increased a hundredfold in the presence of A. longipes, and up to 90% of leaves were infected with sooty mould. The rapid population expansion of the ant on Mahe prior to 1973 has since slowed down, and infestations in some areas have diminished, possibly because of a decreasing source of protein. Movement of ant-infested material has initiated secondary infestations, which are difficult to eradicate once established. The ant is not considered a threat to conservation as differences between the fauna in infested and uriinfested areas tend to be quantitative rather than qualitative. Attempts to eradicate the ant on Mahe would be costly and inappropriate. The use of toxic baits and sprays is recommended only where ants become a domestic nuisance, threaten productivity or reach other islands in the Seychelles group.

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“…Attempts to reverse these processes, by controlling the spread and impact of invasive species have been undertaken worldwide (Veitch et al 2011). Once an invasive species is established it is often difficult to eliminate or prevent further spread (Lewis et al 1976;Krushelnycky et al 2004). In the case of A. gracilipes in the Vallée de Mai, further research into control or exclusion options, impacts and potential biotic resistance to ant invasion are required in addition to continued monitoring of distribution and abundance.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the Seychelles, A. gracilipes was first recorded in 1962 on the main island of Mahé (Lewis et al 1976). The species had spread to the neighbouring island of Praslin by 1975 and was eradicated from this island shortly afterwards (Haines and Haines 1978a, b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasion of yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes in a Seychelles UNESCO palm forest

Kaiser‐Bunbury¹,

Cuthbert²,

Fox³

et al. 2014

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The mature palm forest of the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the Seychelles island of Praslin, is a unique ecosystem containing many endemic species, including the iconic coco de mer palm Lodoicea maldivica. In 2009, the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes was recorded for the first time within the palm forest, raising concern about its potential impacts on the endemic fauna. This research aimed to: (1) assess the current distribution and spread of A. gracilipes within the palm forest; (2) identify environmental variables that are linked to A. gracilipes distribution; and (3) compare endemic species richness and abundance in A. gracilipes invaded and uninvaded areas. Anoplolepis gracilipes was confined to the north-east of the site and remained almost stationary between April 2010 and December 2012, with isolated outbreaks into the forest. Infested areas had significantly higher temperature and humidity and lower canopy cover. Abundance and species richness of the endemic arboreal fauna were lower in the A. gracilipes invaded area. Molluscs were absent from the invaded area. The current restricted distribution of A. gracilipes in this ecosystem, combined with lower abundance of endemic fauna in the invaded area, highlight the need for further research to assess control measures and the possible role of biotic resistance to the invasion of the palm forest by A. gracilipes.

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The crazy ant (Anoplolepis longipes (Jerd.) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)) in Seychelles, and its chemical control

Cited by 32 publications

References 9 publications

Prevalence and genetic diversity of three bacterial endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, and Rhizobiales) associated with the invasive yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes)

Prevalence and genetic diversity of three bacterial endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, and Rhizobiales) associated with the invasive yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes)

Pest status of the crazy ant, Anoplolepis longipes (Jerdon) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in the Seychelles

Invasion of yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes in a Seychelles UNESCO palm forest

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