Wood ants prefer conifers to broadleaved trees in mixed temperate forests. (21st December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sondej, Izabela; Domisch, Timo; Finér, Leena; Czechowski, Wojciech
• Is Part Of: Agricultural and forest entomology. Volume 23:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 296
• Publication Date: 2020-12-21
• Subjects: Foraging -- Formica polyctena -- Formica rufa -- mixed forest -- monodomy -- Norway spruce -- polydomy; Insect pests -- Control -- Periodicals; Agricultural pests -- Control -- Periodicals; Forest insects -- Control -- Periodicals; 632.7
• DOI: 10.1111/afe.12431
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-9555

Abstract

Abstract: Wood ants, species of the subgenus Formica s. str., are one of the most important groups of insects in forest ecosystems due to their high abundance and activity. We assessed the foraging pressure of Formica polyctena and Formica rufa, two dominant wood ant species in the Białowieża Forest. In addition, we compared coniferous and mixed stands in these respects. In mixed stands F. polyctena visited more trees per plot than F. rufa . F. polyctena might forage a larger area due to higher population sizes, which further confirms higher foraging pressure of F. polyctena in comparison with F. rufa . In our study area, host trees of the ant–aphid mutualism were larger in diameter than nonhost trees. The ants also preferred trees situated closer to their nests. In both mixed and coniferous stands, the most visited tree species was Norway spruce. Thus, we can conclude that Norway spruce seems to be preferred by the ant. The decline of living spruce in the Białowieża Forest may endanger their food source and impact the vitality of ant colonies.