Ant Venoms. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical
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Medical Problems and Treatment Considerations for the Red Imported Fire Ant
MEDICAL PROBLEMS AND TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT Bastiaan M. Drees, Professor and Extension Entomologist DISCLAIMER: This fact sheet provides a review of information gathered regarding medical aspects of the red imported fire ant. As such, this fact sheet is not intended to provide treatment recommendations for fire ant stings or reactions that may develop as a result of a stinging incident. Readers are encouraged to seek health-related advice and recommendations from their medical doctors, allergists or other appropriate specialists. Imported fire ants, which include the red imported fire ant - Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), the black imported fire ant - Solenopsis richteri Forel and the hybrid between S. invicta and S. richteri, cause medical problems when sterile female worker ants from a colony sting and inject a venom that cause localized sterile blisters, whole body allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock and occasionally death. In Texas, S. invicta is the only imported fire ant, although several species of native fire ants occur in the state such as the tropical fire ant, S. geminata (Fabricius), and the desert fire ant, S. xyloni McCook, which are also capable of stinging (see FAPFS010 and 013 for identification keys). Over 40 million people live in areas infested by the red imported fire ant in the southeastern United States. An estimated 14 million people are stung annually. According to The Scripps Howard Texas Poll (March 2000), 79 percent of Texans have been stung by fire ants in the year of the survey, while 20% of Texans report not ever having been stung. -
Congeneric Phylogeography of Australian Ogyris Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)
Congeneric Phylogeography of Australian Ogyris Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) Author Schmidt, Daniel J Published 2007 Thesis Type Thesis (PhD Doctorate) School School of Environmental Science DOI https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/2207 Copyright Statement The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/366723 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au Congeneric phylogeography of Australian Ogyris butterflies (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) Daniel J. Schmidt B.Sc. (Hons) Australian Rivers Institute Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Griffith University Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, October 2006 ii iii Summary This study investigated spatial genetic structuring of two groups of Australian Ogyris butterflies (Lycaenidae). Ogyris represents one of several Australian endemic butterfly radiations that is well characterised in terms of basic biology but lacking in data useful for discriminating among the potential factors promoting divergence and speciation. A phylogeographic approach was used to document structuring in mitochondrial DNA markers (mtDNA) across the geographic range of two groups of closely related taxa. These include a pair of sister species: Ogyris zosine and O. genoveva, and the polytypic species O. amaryllis which is comprised of four subspecies. Topological relationships among recognised taxonomic units were tested and polyphyletic patterns investigated as a potential source of information relating to divergence and speciation. Sister species Ogyris zosine and O. genoveva were found to exhibit a polyphyletic relationship based on mtDNA. The deepest divergence within the group separated allopatric populations of O. zosine in northern Australia which do not correspond to a recognised taxonomic entity. -
Ant Type Specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Deposited in the Museu De Zoologia Da Universidade De São Paulo, Brazil
Volume 48(11):75-88, 2008 Catalogue of “poneromorph” ant type specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil Cristiane P. Scott-Santos Flávia A. Esteves Carlos Roberto F. Brandão AbsTracT The present catalogue lists the type specimes of 112 nominal “poneromorph” ant species housed in the Formicidae collection of the Hymenoptera laboratory, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP). The catalogue includes types of Amblyoponinae, Ectatomminae, Heteroponerinae, Ponerinae, and Proceratiinae, that is, all poneromorph (sensu Bolton, 2003) but for the monotypic Paraponerinae, of which the collection bears no type specimens. We present here information on type categories (holotype, paratype, syntype, lectotype, and paralectotype), label data, nomenclatural changes since the original description and type specimens conservation status. At last we present indexes for the taxa names presented. Keywords: Hymenoptera, ants, types, MZSP, Amblyoponinae, Ectatomminae, Heteroponerinae, Ponerinae, Proceratiinae. INTRODucTION The purpose of the present catalogue is to pro- vide updated information on poneromorph type The Formicidae collection housed in the Hy- specimes of the MZSP collection, following Article menoptera laboratory of the Museu de Zoologia da 72 F.4 of the International Code for Zoological No- Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP) is under con- menclature (1999). struction since the end of the 19th century and is to- The poneromorph group of ants, as defined by day one of the largest and more representative ant col- Bolton (2003), is distributed worldwide and consists lections in and for the Neotropical region, as regard of circa 1,700 described species in 49 genera of six to the number of specimens, including types, and subfamilies: Amblyoponinae, Ectatomminae, Hetero- localities (Brandão, 2000). -
Ant, Red Imported Fire
ALIEN PEST ALERT! Red Imported Fire Ant A Seriously Harmful Potential Invasive Species Neil J. Reimer and Carol Okada, Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture he red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, na Ttive to South America, is a serious pest of agri cultural, urban, and native environments in areas that it has invaded. This species is not known to be present in Hawai‘i but is related to the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata, which is present in Hawai‘i. The red imported fire ant, however, is much more aggressive. Workers and queen, relative sizes Infested areas Potential areas of infestation Mounds in a pasture Workers, actual sizes Distribution in the United States The red imported fire ant was accidentally introduced into culture regards it as a high priority to prevent the red Alabama in the 1930s and has since spread throughout imported fire ant from establishing in Hawaii. the southern USA. It now occurs in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Life cycle and biology Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Ten The life cycle of this ant is similar to many other pest nessee, Texas, and Puerto Rico. There have been spot in ants. The colonies (“mounds”) can contain 10–100 or festations in Arizona, but these have been eradicated. This more queens, which each lay up to 800 eggs per day. pest will continue to spread on the Mainland. Its distri After 7–10 days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which de bution appears to be limited by temperature and mois velop over a 6–10-day period before pupating. -
Identifying the Little Fire Ant a New Invasive Species on Kaua‘I
ALIEN Insect Pests DRAFTPEST May 2004 ALERT! IP-16 Identifying the Little Fire Ant A New Invasive Species on Kaua‘i Hawai‘i Ant Group; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Plant Pest Control Branch; University of Hawai‘i, Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit and Department of Plant and Environmental Protec tion Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee (KISC) e are in the process of eradicating an infestation 1 Actual length, ⁄16 inch Wof the little fire ant (LFA) in the Kalihiwai area of Kaua‘i. We need the help of everyone on Kaua‘i to report any ants they find that match this ant’s descrip tion. With your help, we can keep Kaua‘i LFA-free. Head Background Since 1999 when it was first collected at Hawaiian Para dise Park in the Puna area on Hawai‘i, over 30 LFA in Little fire ant festations have been found on the Big Island. Contain worker ment actions are being taken, but limited resources and personnel, and pesticide label use restrictions, have made • Its sting produces large, painful, raised, red welts. it difficult to eradicate all the infestations there. • Irritation from the sting lasts several days, aching pain Beginning in 1999, HDOA has enforced quarantine fully at first and later itching intensely in spells. regulations to prevent shipment of infested potted plants • Although not quick to sting when handled, the LFA will from the Big Island. However, at least one infestation at do so if trapped beneath clothing. -
Management of Insect Sting Hypersensitivity: an Update Robert D
Review Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2013 May;5(3):129-137. http://dx.doi.org/10.4168/aair.2013.5.3.129 pISSN 2092-7355 • eISSN 2092-7363 Management of Insect Sting Hypersensitivity: An Update Robert D. Pesek,1* Richard F. Lockey2 1Division of Allergy and Immunology, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR, USA 2Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida and the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Reactions to Hymenoptera insect stings are common. While most are self-limited, some induce systemic allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. Prompt recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of these reactions are important for improving quality-of-life and reducing the risk of future sting reactions. This review summarizes the current recommendations to diagnose and treat Hymenoptera sting induced allergic reactions and highlights considerations for various populations throughout the world. Key Words: Hymenoptera allergy; venom immunotherapy; sting-induced anaphylaxis; insect sting allergy; insect sting hypersensitivity INTRODUCTION (Polistes); family Apidea (bees); and family Formicidae (ants) (Figure).3 Proper recognition of the insect responsible for the Allergic reactions triggered by Hymenoptera insects have -
Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Myrmecological News 20 25-36 Online Earlier, for print 2014 The evolution and functional morphology of trap-jaw ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Fredrick J. LARABEE & Andrew V. SUAREZ Abstract We review the biology of trap-jaw ants whose highly specialized mandibles generate extreme speeds and forces for predation and defense. Trap-jaw ants are characterized by elongated, power-amplified mandibles and use a combination of latches and springs to generate some of the fastest animal movements ever recorded. Remarkably, trap jaws have evolved at least four times in three subfamilies of ants. In this review, we discuss what is currently known about the evolution, morphology, kinematics, and behavior of trap-jaw ants, with special attention to the similarities and key dif- ferences among the independent lineages. We also highlight gaps in our knowledge and provide suggestions for future research on this notable group of ants. Key words: Review, trap-jaw ants, functional morphology, biomechanics, Odontomachus, Anochetus, Myrmoteras, Dacetini. Myrmecol. News 20: 25-36 (online xxx 2014) ISSN 1994-4136 (print), ISSN 1997-3500 (online) Received 2 September 2013; revision received 17 December 2013; accepted 22 January 2014 Subject Editor: Herbert Zettel Fredrick J. Larabee (contact author), Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 320 Morrill Hall, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA. E-mail: [email protected] Andrew V. Suarez, Department of Entomology and Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, Univer- sity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 320 Morrill Hall, 505 S. -
Digging Deeper Into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning Across Two Continents
diversity Article Digging Deeper into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning across Two Continents Mickal Houadria * and Florian Menzel Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Soil fauna is generally understudied compared to above-ground arthropods, and ants are no exception. Here, we compared a primary and a secondary forest each on two continents using four different sampling methods. Winkler sampling, pitfalls, and four types of above- and below-ground baits (dead, crushed insects; melezitose; living termites; living mealworms/grasshoppers) were applied on four plots (4 × 4 grid points) on each site. Although less diverse than Winkler samples and pitfalls, subterranean baits provided a remarkable ant community. Our baiting system provided a large dataset to systematically quantify strata and dietary specialisation in tropical rainforest ants. Compared to above-ground baits, 10–28% of the species at subterranean baits were overall more common (or unique to) below ground, indicating a fauna that was truly specialised to this stratum. Species turnover was particularly high in the primary forests, both concerning above-ground and subterranean baits and between grid points within a site. This suggests that secondary forests are more impoverished, especially concerning their subterranean fauna. Although subterranean ants rarely displayed specific preferences for a bait type, they were in general more specialised than above-ground ants; this was true for entire communities, but also for the same species if they foraged in both strata. Citation: Houadria, M.; Menzel, F. -
Formicidae, Ponerinae), a Predominantly Nocturnal, Canopy-Dwelling
Behavioural Processes 109 (2014) 48–57 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Behavioural Processes jo urnal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/behavproc Visual navigation in the Neotropical ant Odontomachus hastatus (Formicidae, Ponerinae), a predominantly nocturnal, canopy-dwelling predator of the Atlantic rainforest a,1 b,∗ Pedro A.P. Rodrigues , Paulo S. Oliveira a Graduate Program in Ecology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil b Departamento de Biologia Animal, C.P. 6109, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil a r t a b i s c l e i n f o t r a c t Article history: The arboreal ant Odontomachus hastatus nests among roots of epiphytic bromeliads in the sandy forest Available online 24 June 2014 at Cardoso Island (Brazil). Crepuscular and nocturnal foragers travel up to 8 m to search for arthropod prey in the canopy, where silhouettes of leaves and branches potentially provide directional information. Keywords: We investigated the relevance of visual cues (canopy, horizon patterns) during navigation in O. hastatus. Arboreal ants Laboratory experiments using a captive ant colony and a round foraging arena revealed that an artificial Atlantic forest canopy pattern above the ants and horizon visual marks are effective orientation cues for homing O. has- Canopy orientation tatus. On the other hand, foragers that were only given a tridimensional landmark (cylinder) or chemical Ponerinae marks were unable to home correctly. Navigation by visual cues in O. hastatus is in accordance with other Trap-jaw ants diurnal arboreal ants. Nocturnal luminosity (moon, stars) is apparently sufficient to produce contrasting Visual cues silhouettes from the canopy and surrounding vegetation, thus providing orientation cues. -
Cytogenetic Studies of the Neotropical Ant Genus Ectatomma (Formicidae: Ectatomminae: Ectatommini) by Luísa Antônia Campos Barros1; Cléa S.F
555 Cytogenetic Studies of the Neotropical Ant Genus Ectatomma (Formicidae: Ectatomminae: Ectatommini) by Luísa Antônia Campos Barros1; Cléa S.F. Mariano2; Davileide de Sousa Borges2; Silvia G. Pompolo1 & Jacques H.C. Delabie2* AbsTRacT The ant genus Ectatomma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is typically Neo- tropical and is the only genus of the subfamily Ectatomminae for which no cytogenetic data previously existed. Cytogenetic studies of five species of the Ectatomma genus are reported here. Colonies were collected at Viçosa (Minas Gerais, Brazil), Ilhéus and Manoel Vitorino (Bahia, Brazil). In this genus, the chromosome number ranged from 2n=36 to 46: Ectatomma brunneum Smith, 2n=44 (karyotype formula: 2K=22M + 22A); Ectatomma muticum Mayr, n=20 (K=16M + 4A); Ectatomma permagnum Forel, 2n=46 (2K=20M + 26A); Ectatomma tuberculatum Olivier, 2n=36 (2K=30M + 6A), while the observed metaphases of Ectatomma edentatum Roger, with 2n=46, did not allow a precise karyotype definition. The variations presented by the karyotypes of these ants can be attributed to the increase in the number of acrocentric chromosomes, probably because of rearrangements such as centric fission. This study is important for the understanding of evolutionary processes in the Ectatomminae subfamily. Key-words: chromosome, karyotype, Minimum Interaction Theory INTRODUCTION Many animal studies have proven that cytogenetics is a useful tool for the biological understanding of a species, especially in evolutionary, taxonomic, phylogenetic and speciation mechanism studies, because chromosome al- terations are normally significant for species evolution (White 1973; King 1Laboratório de Citogenética de Insetos. Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa. 36570-000Viçosa-MG, Brazil. [email protected], [email protected] 2U.P.A. -
Sistemática Y Ecología De Las Hormigas Predadoras (Formicidae: Ponerinae) De La Argentina
UNIVERSIDAD DE BUENOS AIRES Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Sistemática y ecología de las hormigas predadoras (Formicidae: Ponerinae) de la Argentina Tesis presentada para optar al título de Doctor de la Universidad de Buenos Aires en el área CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS PRISCILA ELENA HANISCH Directores de tesis: Dr. Andrew Suarez y Dr. Pablo L. Tubaro Consejero de estudios: Dr. Daniel Roccatagliata Lugar de trabajo: División de Ornitología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” Buenos Aires, Marzo 2018 Fecha de defensa: 27 de Marzo de 2018 Sistemática y ecología de las hormigas predadoras (Formicidae: Ponerinae) de la Argentina Resumen Las hormigas son uno de los grupos de insectos más abundantes en los ecosistemas terrestres, siendo sus actividades, muy importantes para el ecosistema. En esta tesis se estudiaron de forma integral la sistemática y ecología de una subfamilia de hormigas, las ponerinas. Esta subfamilia predomina en regiones tropicales y neotropicales, estando presente en Argentina desde el norte hasta la provincia de Buenos Aires. Se utilizó un enfoque integrador, combinando análisis genéticos con morfológicos para estudiar su diversidad, en combinación con estudios ecológicos y comportamentales para estudiar la dominancia, estructura de la comunidad y posición trófica de las Ponerinas. Los resultados sugieren que la diversidad es más alta de lo que se creía, tanto por que se encontraron nuevos registros durante la colecta de nuevo material, como porque nuestros análisis sugieren la presencia de especies crípticas. Adicionalmente, demostramos que en el PN Iguazú, dos ponerinas: Dinoponera australis y Pachycondyla striata son componentes dominantes en la comunidad de hormigas. Análisis de isótopos estables revelaron que la mayoría de las Ponerinas ocupan niveles tróficos altos, con excepción de algunas especies arborícolas del género Neoponera que dependerían de néctar u otros recursos vegetales. -
A Bioeconomic Model of Little Fire Ant Wasmannia Auropunctata in Hawaii
The Hawai`i-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit & Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I AT MĀNOA Dr. David C. Duffy, Unit Leader Department of Botany 3190 Maile Way, St. John #408 Honolulu, Hawai’i 96822 Technical Report 186 A bioeconomic model of Little Fire Ant Wasmannia auropunctata in Hawaii December 2013 Michael Motoki1, Donna J. Lee1,2, Cas Vanderwoude3,4,5, Stuart T. Nakamoto6 and PingSun Leung1 1 Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Management, University of Hawaii 2 DJL Economic Consulting, Honolulu, Hawaii 3 Hawaii Department of Agriculture 4 The Hawaii Ant Lab, Hilo, Hawaii 5 The Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawaii 6 Department of Human Nutrition, Food & Animal Sciences, University of Hawaii PCSU is a cooperative program between the University of Hawai`i and U.S. National Park Service, Cooperative Ecological Studies Unit. Author Contact Information: Donna J. Lee, DJL Economic Consulting, Honolulu HI, DJL. [email protected]. Phone: 808.226- 9079 Recommended Citation: Motoki, M., D.J. Lee, C. Vanderwoude, S.T. Nakamoto and P.S. Leung. 2013. A bioeconomic model of Little Fire Ant Wasmannia auropunctata in Hawaii. Technical Report No. 186. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai`i, Honolulu, Hawai`i. 89 pp. Key words: Wasmannia auropunctata, bioeconomic modeling, invasive species, socio-economic impacts Place key words: Hawaii, Big Island, Kauai, Maui Editor: David C. Duffy, PCSU Unit Leader (Email: [email protected]) Series Editor: Clifford W. Morden, PCSU Deputy Director (Email: [email protected]) About this technical report series: This technical report series began in 1973 with the formation of the Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.