Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802)

Ivanov, Kaloyan, 2016, Exotic ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Ohio, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 51, pp. 203-226 : 209-211

Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802)

Distribution in Ohio.

Southern Ohio. Counties: Hamilton ( Hedges 1998), (Fig. 1 ).

Where found/Habitat.

Ohio’s single record is from a warehouse in Cincinnati, although this species is undoubtedly more widespread in the state where it should be sought after in heated buildings.

Origin.

Southeast Asia or Melanesia.

Natural history.

Along with Monomorium pharaonis and Tapinoma melanocephalum , this is one the most widespread tramp ant species and perhaps the most widespread ant in the world ( Wetterer 2008). It is found throughout the Old and the New Worlds where it appears to be a specialist of disturbed and degraded habitats, seemingly absent from undisturbed natural settings. This species can be identified on sight and relatively easily distinguished from other ant species by its erratic movements and the extraordinarily elongated scapes, head, and tibiae.

Longhorn crazy ants are highly adaptable and exhibit pronounced ability to survive even in extremely anthropogenically modified environments including nesting sites with very low humidity ( Trager 1984). Nests are usually under cover objects, under dry litter and mulch, in rotten wood, less often in plant cavities, under refuse and debris piles, as well as in wall gaps inside buildings ( Smith 1965). Colonies are moderate to large, polygynous, and occupy temporary nests which are highly mobile ( Trager 1984). Workers are omnivorous, feeding on live and dead invertebrates, small seeds, fruits, honeydew, and a variety of household food items ( Smith 1965).

A contributing factor to the colonizing success of this species is its mode of reproduction with lack of nuptial flights. Wings of queens are removed while still callow. Dealate queens and winged males usually gather around the nest entrance, where mating occurs ( Trager 1984). A process known as double cloning allows members of this species to mate with their siblings without exhibiting any of the negative effects associated with inbreeding ( Pearcy et al. 2011).

This species is a known household and garden pest across tropical and subtropical areas, where it can also attain a significant agricultural pest status via its symbiotic relationships with sap feeding Hemiptera ( Wetterer 2008). It has become established in temperate localities by living in buildings and other man-made structures.

Figures

Figure 1. Distribution of Linepithema humile (1), Tapinoma melanocephalum (2), Nylanderia flavipes (3), and Paratrechina longicornis (4) in Ohio.