Search

Your search keyword '"Pettit, Magen"' showing total 13 results
Start Over Author "Pettit, Magen"
13 results on '"Pettit, Magen"'

3. Efficacy, non-target impacts, and other considerations of unregistered fipronil-laced baits being used in multiple invasive ant eradication programs.

Author

Hoffmann, Benjamin D., Pettit, Magen, Antonio, Justine, Chassain, Juliette, Ferrieu, Edgar, Gutierrez, Alexandra, Holley, Precious, Lavorel, Thomas, Moreno, Jazmin, Querat, Sophie, and Wind, Thomas

Abstract

We present three studies assessing the efficacy and non-target impacts of multiple unregistered forms of hydrogel ant baits, as well as some co-use with the granular bait Antoff, that were experimentally used targeting Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, and yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes, within natural/semi-natural environments in Australia. The three studies varied greatly in design and treatment regimens, and were each conducted to address real-time learning needs while attempting to understand how best to use these experimental baits within the spatial, temporal and logistic limitations of three eradication programs. All studies involved broadscale applications of numerous forms of the baits, with greatly varying treatment regimens, coupled with before-after sampling of ant communities, as well as other soil invertebrates in one study. All studies found the baits were highly efficacious against both species, more so for A. gracilipes than L. humile. Eradication is considered to have been achieved for A. gracilipes in one treatment area with a triple treatment regimen, but not using different treatment regimens in other areas. Six treatments conducted approximately one week apart did not eradicate L. humile. Few non-target impacts were found, predominantly occurring only when sampling was conducted within days of a treatment, or at the end of six treatments of a high application rate. Instead, non-target species richness and composition were most often more affected by spatial location or sample time than treatment. Any treatment effects were non-persistent after 6–18 months. Hydrogel baits are likely to have significant roles to play for ant management and eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

6. A new species of Epopostruma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from monsoonal Australia

Author

Pettit, Magen J. and Andersen, Alan N.

Subjects
Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia, Biodiversity, Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Taxonomy
Abstract

Pettit, Magen J., Andersen, Alan N. (2021): A new species of Epopostruma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from monsoonal Australia. Zootaxa 5048 (1): 141-144, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5048.1.9

Published
2021

7. Epopostruma topendi Pettit & Andersen 2021, sp. n

Author

Pettit, Magen J. and Andersen, Alan N.

Subjects
Insecta, Arthropoda, Epopostruma, Animalia, Biodiversity, Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Epopostruma topendi, Taxonomy
Abstract

Epopostruma topendi sp. n. (Figs 1a–d) Holotype worker: Australia, Northern Territory, Nitmiluk National Park 14°14’02’’S, 132°14’28’’E, April–May 2015, S. Oberprieler, pitfall trap, sandstone woodland. Unique specimen identifier 32 163815. Paratype worker: Australia, Northern Territory, Taracumbi, Melville Island 11°37’08’’S, 130°42’12’’E, 27–30 Jul 2009, M. Pettit, pitfall trap, savanna woodland. Unique specimen identifier 32 163816. Holotype and Paratype deposited at Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Description: Holotype worker. TL 3.9; HL 0.81; HW 0.75; CI 93; ML 0.43; MI 53; SL 0.49; SI 65; PW 0.51 AL 1.01. In full-face view the lateral margin of the head between the eye and the occipital lobe slightly angular. Posterior margin of head deeply concave, with occipital lobes somewhat angled posteriorly. Pronotal spines present, elongate. Posterior section of mesonotum in approximately the same plane as the dorsal face of propodeum, the junction of these plates forming a very shallow depression. Posterior face of propodeum with thin flanges between bases of spines and propodeal lobes. Petiolar node with a pair of conspicuous, semi-erect denticles on the dorsolateral margins. In dorsal view, petiolar node narrow and parallel-sided. Anterior face of the postpetiole distinctively flattened, with angular lateral margins. Sides of postpetiole not expanded laterally. In dorsal view, postpetiole bluntly square anterolaterally and conspicuously dentate posterolaterally, with denticles broader than long. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with numerous short, blunt and often clubbed erect hairs. Head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole with well-spaced foveolae and to a large extent smooth and shiny, especially dorsally. First gastral tergite entirely smooth. Colour uniformly reddish-brown. Etymology: The name is a non-Latin noun (and thus invariant), named after the Top End region of the Northern Territory in which the specimens were recorded.

Published
2021
Full Text
View/download PDF

12. Multi-century dynamics of ant communities following fire in Mediterranean-climate woodlands: Are changes congruent with vegetation succession?

Author

Gosper, Carl R., Pettit, Magen J., Andersen, Alan N., Yates, Colin J., Prober, Suzanne M., Gosper, Carl R., Pettit, Magen J., Andersen, Alan N., Yates, Colin J., and Prober, Suzanne M.

Abstract

As vegetation recovers after disturbances such as fire its composition and structure systematically changes, affecting the availability of resources for fauna and mediating physical conditions. According to the habitat accommodation model, these changes drive a succession of animal species, which enter and leave according to their habitat requirements. While the response of ants to fire has been extensively studied, studies of ant communities in biomes with long fire-return intervals have been overwhelmingly short-term in nature. Here, we explore the response of ant species, functional groups and communities to time since fire using a uniquely long-term (>300 years) chronosequence in eucalypt woodlands of south-western Australia. Marked non-monotonic vegetation structural changes occur in non-resprouting Eucalyptussalubris-dominated woodlands following fire, with tree and ground fuel cover peaking at intermediate periods post-fire. Hence, we predicted that changes in the occurrence of Dominant Dolichoderinae, Hot-Climate Specialist and Cold-Climate Specialist functional groups would mirror the non-monotonic changes in habitat complexity, as predicted by the habitat accommodation model. Overall ant species richness and composition did not show clear post-fire successional patterns, with extensive spatial turnover a likely factor. However, richness and abundance of ant functional groups broadly responded as predicted, with Dominant Dolichoderinae and Hot-Climate Specialists more prominent in more-open recently-burnt and long-unburnt habitat, and Cold-Climate Specialists more prominent in less open habitat at an intermediate time since fire. This matching, non-monotonic temporal pattern of changes in ant functional groups and vegetation structure suggests that ant functional group occurrence is mediated through changes in habitat, as posited by the habitat accommodation model, and not simply time since disturbance. Current fire management in E. salubris woodlands ai

Published
2015

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results