Cardiocondyla emeryi Forel, 1881

Emery's Sneaking Ant (DEYRUP et al., 2000)

(ANTWEB: CASENT0173259). (Map 15)

A tramp ant, widely distributed throughout tropical, subtropical and temperate areas (KEMPF, 1972; BOLTON et al., 2006; WETTERER, 2012). It is found in 30 islands and islets of the archipelago. It was recorded for the first time in 1984 (LUBIN, 1984). Nests have been found in branches of S. pedunculata, under rocks, in the ground and in rotten logs. It is present from the littoral to humid zones, and has been found in mangroves and forests of S. pedunculata, P. floribunda, P. galapageium and B. graveolens . Some specimens were collected in closed woodlands dominated by P. floribunda, Z. fagara, C. scouleri and P. galapageium . It is a conspicuous species of arid and transition zones (LUBIN, 1984), and was collected in fields of Paspalum sp., branches of S. pedunculata, trees of B. graveolens and dry areas composed of C. lutea and W. ovata . In cultivated areas it is reported from crops of M. paradisiaca, Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgaris Schrad ex Wendle, Cucumis melo L. and P. vulgaris . In urban areas it is present in gardens where it has been found on grass ( Zoysia matrella var. pacifica Goudwaard), C. lanatus and C. nucifera .

Cardiocondyla emeryi visits flowers and has been reported collecting nectar from T. rufo – sericea (MCMULLEN, 2007). In disturbed environments C. emeryi was collected in landfills, stone and gravel quarries, near electricity plants, urban areas and roads. Cardiocondyla emeryi is not considerated an agressive species in other parts of the world (WETTERER, 2014a), however in Galápagos it has colonized pristine areas, which suggests that it could have an impact on native biota (CAUSTON et al., 2006).