Diversity of ant (Insect: Hymenoptera) at stingless beekeeping area of Kandi fruit garden, Sawahlunto city, West Sumatera, Indonesia.

The study on ant diversity around the stingless beekeeping area of Kandi Fruit Garden in Sawahlunto City, West Sumatra, had been conducted from January to July 2022. It aimed to assess ant diversity at the study site. Ant specimens were collected using purposive sampling method where the modified Quadra Protocol was deployed around the area of fruit garden, while hand collection was used to purposively collect ant specimens from around stingless bee colonies. A total 20 stingless bee colonies observed, consisted of 15 Heterotrigona itama colonies and 5 Geniotrigona thoracica colonies. This study identified 15 ant species that belonged to 11 genera, nine tribes and four subfamilies from 349 ant individuals sampled. Subfamily Formicinae and Myrmicinae were recorded with more species number, 6 species and 5 species respectively. On species level, Nylanderia sp. 3 of HH was recognized as dominant species. Heterotrigona itama colonies became the spots where most ant specimens collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]