Unfortunate encounters? Novel interactions of native Mecyclothorax, alien Trechus obtusus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and Argentine ant (Linepithema humile, Hymenoptera: Formicidae) across a Hawaiian landscape

Author:

Liebherr, James K., Krushelnycky, Paul D.

Title:

Unfortunate encounters? Novel interactions of native Mecyclothorax, alien Trechus obtusus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and Argentine ant (Linepithema humile, Hymenoptera: Formicidae) across a Hawaiian landscape

Periodical:

Journal of Insect Conservation

Year:

2007

Volume:

11

Pages:

61-73

Subject:

Argentine ant Linepithema humile Haleakala

Summary:

Hawaii is home to a speciouse radiation of Mecyclothorax, with over 90 species described. All Hawaiian Mecyclothorax individuals are brachypterous, and the species are highly endemic in distribution, with none distributed on more than one island. In this paper, the interactions among the native Hawaiian carabid beetles, of the genus Mecyclothorax Sharp, (Trechus obtusus), and the Argentine ant were investigated. Sites on the Haleakala volcano that are located on the island of Maui were the focus points where this invasive beetle has been established. Of the Mecyclothorax species investigated in this study, four are known only from an afforested site at Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area, thereby defining this limited extent of the volcano as an area of endemism. The changes that were occurring in the populations of the alien T. obtusus, as it adapted to its new-found habitat, was also investigated.

Label:

Insects - Ants

Date:

2007

Collection:

Periodicals