Distribution and habitat preferences of Galápagos ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Author
Herrera Léon Baert Wouter Dekoninck, Henri W.
Author
Causton, Charlotte E.
Author
Sevilla, Christian R.
Author
Pozo, Paola
Author
Hendrickx, Frederik
text
Belgian Journal of Entomology
2020
93
1
60
journal article
302430
10.5281/zenodo.13710313
83b9d93e-6482-4509-82e7-d477e479612b
2295-0214
13710313
2612CE09-F7FF-45CD-B52E-99F04DC2AA56
Odontomachus ruginodis
Smith, 1937
Rough–Node Snapping Ant (
DEYRUP
et al.,
2000
)
(ANTWEB: ICCDRS0013038). (
Map 49
)
This species occurs in the northern neotropics, southeastern
United States
, Central America, and many Caribbean islands (
KEMPF
, 1972
;
BRANDÃO
, 1991
;
BOLTON
et al.,
2006
).
Odontomachus ruginodis
is an introduced species, collected for the first time in Galápagos in
2008 in
the urban area of Santa Cruz Island (
HERRERA
et al.,
2014
). Since then it has become increasingly abundant. It nests in soil and under stones. Some specimens were found at the base and in the roots of
C. roseus
, an ornamental plant.
Odontomachus ruginodis
is common in disturbed areas, beaches, open woods and mangroves (
DEYRUP
et al.,
1988
;
DEYRUP
et al.,
2000
). Its invasive potential has yet to be evaluated, however its rapid colonization of areas and its predatory habits suggest that it should be monitored closely.