Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T06:03:13.809Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

ESTABLISHMENT OF A PREDACIOUS RED WOOD ANT, FORMICA OBSCURIPES (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE), FROM MANITOBA TO EASTERN CANADA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

R. J. Finnegan
Affiliation:
Laurentian Forest Research Centre, Canadian Forestry Service, Sainte-Foy, Quebec

Abstract

The important species of predacious ants in Europe and North America belonging to the Formica rufa L. group, and their association with forest insects, is discussed. The absence of desirable species in Quebec is stated, and a brief description of an aggressive western North American species (F. obscuripes Forel) is given. The method used in collecting large colonies of this species in Manitoba, of transportation to Quebec, and of the eventual release and establishment is described. It is concluded that F. obscuripes is increasing in number in Quebec, and should be considered as permanently established.

Résumé

L’importance des fourmis prédatrices du groupe Formica rufa L. en Europe et Amérique du nord, et leur association avec les insectes forestières sont discutées. L’absence d’espèce désirable pour la lutte biologique au Québec est indiquée, et une brève description d’une espèce agressive de l’ouest du continent Nord américain (F. obscuripes Forel), est présentée. La récolte de F. obscuripes au Manitoba, son transport au Québec, et son relâchement et établissement dans les fôrets québecoises sont decrits. On constate que la reproduction et la dispersion de l’espèce au Québec sont assurées.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1977

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bradley, G. A. 1972. Transplanting Formica obscuripes and Dolichoderus tachenbergi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) colonies in jack pine stands of southeastern Manitoba. Can. Ent. 104: 245249.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bradley, G. A. 1973. Effect of Formica obscuripes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on the predator–prey relationship between Hyperaspis congressis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Toumeyella numismaticum (Hymenoptera: Coccidae). Can. Ent. 105: 11131118.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bradley, G. A. and Hinks, J. D.. 1968. Ants, aphids, and jack pine in Manitoba. Can. Ent. 100: 4050.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bruns, H. 1954. Beeinflussung der Kokodichte einer Population der K1. Fichtenblattwespe (Lygaeonematus abietum) durch die rote Waldameise (Formica rufa). Nachr. Dt. PflSchutzdienst. 3335.Google Scholar
Cotti, G. 1963. Bibliografia ragionata 1930–1961 del gruppo Formica rufa in Italiano, Deutsch, English. Italy Minist. Agric. For. Collana Verde 8. 414 pp.Google Scholar
Finnegan, R. J. 1974. Ants as predators of forest pests. Entomophaga (Mem. Hors Ser ) 7: 5359.Google Scholar
Finnegan, R. J. 1975. Introduction of a predacious red wood ant, Formica lugubris (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), from Italy to eastern Canada. Can. Ent. 107: 12711274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gösswald, K. 1951. Die rote Waldameise in Dienste der Waldhygiene: Forstwirtschaftliche Bedeutung, Nutzung, Lebensweise, Zucht, Vermehrung und Schutz. Lüneburg, Metta Kinau. 160 pp.Google Scholar
Hutchinson, G. E. 1959. Why are there so many kinds of animals? In Hazen, W. E., Readings in population and community ecology. Saunders, Philadelphia and London.Google Scholar
Weber, N. A. 1935. The biology of the thatching ant, Formica rufa obscuripes Forel, in North Dakota. Ecol. Monogr. 165206.Google Scholar
Wheeler, G. C. and Wheeler, J.. 1963. The ants of North Dakota. Univ. North Dakota Press, Grand Forks.Google Scholar