Predators of Solenopsis invicta1 Queens Prior to Successful Colony Establishment 23

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
An investigation was made in north Florida of the biotic factors affecting female Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the beginning of the nuptial flight until the emergence of minum workers in newly established colonies. Many predators attacked while the queen was airborne. In order of the increasing height at which the attacks are usually made, the following dragonflies preyed on the queens: Pachydiplax longipennis Burmeister, Tramea carolina L., Anax junius Drury, and Somatochlora provocans Calvert. Of the birds feeding on alates, the chimney swift, Cahaeura pelagica L., and the Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus (L.), were positively identified. Other entomophagous predators attacked during the time spent on the ground immediately following the mating flight and prior to excavation. In heavily infested areas, cannabalism by S. invicta workers was particularly important. In less infested areas, Conomyrma insana (Buckley) assumed significance. Eleven other species of ants were repeatedly observed to attack queens. A wolf spider, Lycosa timuga Wallace, an earwig, Labidura riparia Pallas, and a tiger beetle, Cicindella punctulata (Oliver), also preyed on queens. Another group of natural enemies were active during excavation and emergence of minum workers from the new colony. Information on these predators has been hard to obtain. S. invicta workers are again important. Lasius neoniger Emery and Labidura riparia destroy the young queens in their cells. The Eastern Bobwhite, Colinus virginianus virginianus (L.), dig out the young queens. Considering the large number of colonies started and the small number successfully established, other predators must also be significant.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: