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Interactions between Ghost Ants and Invasive Mealybugs: The Case ofTapinoma melanocephalum(Hymenoptera: Formicidae) andPhenacoccus solenopsis(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Authors :
Yijuan Xu
Lixia Zeng
Yongyue Lu
Aiming Zhou
Guangwen Liang
Source :
Florida Entomologist. 97:1474-1480
Publication Year :
2014
Publisher :
Florida Entomological Society, 2014.

Abstract

Mutualism between ants and honeydew-producing hemipterans is a common phenomenon in ecosystems, and interactions between ants and hemipterans have been extensively studied. The invasive solenopsis mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), and the ghost ant, Tapinoma melanocephalum (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), are widely distributed in China. Previous studies showed that the ghost ant can promote the fitness of the invasive mealybug when natural enemies of the mealybug are excluded. In this study, we investigated the interactions between the ghost ant and the invasive solenopsis mealybug when the mealybug's natural enemies were included. Our results indicated that the honeydew produced by mealybugs facilitated colony growth of the ghost ant significantly more than by allowing them to feed on the mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Tending by the ghost ant increased mealybug survival on the plants when six-spotted zigzag lady beetle larvae, Chei...

Details

ISSN :
19385102 and 00154040
Volume :
97
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Florida Entomologist
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........d66ae2a03d4a465cb6458bcd8cf34795