Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a destructive tramp-ant, in wildlife refuges of Gabon

Citation

Wetterer JK, Walsh PD & White L (1999) Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a destructive tramp-ant, in wildlife refuges of Gabon. African Entomology, 7 (2), pp. 292-294.

Abstract
First paragraph: Tramp-ant species associate with humans and are dispersed by human commerce. They spread across the world concealed in plant products, packaging material, building supplies and heavy machinery such as logging and military equipment (Passera 1994; Wetterer 1998). Several tramp-ant species are known to have dramatic ecological impacts (e.g. Porter & Savignano 1990; Cole et al. 1992; Reimer 1994; Haines et al. 1994; Human & Gordon 1997). When these ants invade, they exterminate indigenous invertebrate fauna and transform the biological community (Bond & Slingsby 1984). One destructive tramp-ant species that has invaded Africa is the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr). Linepithema humile, indigenous to South America,nowoccurs in South Africa where it has had far-ranging impacts on other species (Hattingh 1945; Anderson et al. 1983; Bond & Slingsby 1984; Visser et al. 1996). Here, we report the presence of a highly destructive tramp-ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) (little red fire ant) in wildlife refuges in Gabon, West Africa.

Journal
African Entomology: Volume 7, Issue 2