Bracken, Ants and Extrafloral Nectaries. IV. Do Wood Ants (Formica lugubris) Protect the Plant Against Insect Herbivores?

10.2307/4417 ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip A. Heads
Keyword(s):  
Extrafloral Nectaries ◽  
Insect Herbivores ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Formica Lugubris

The distribution of wood-ants (Formica lugubris Zetterstedt) in a northern English forest

1977 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. SUDD ◽  
J. M. DOUGLAS ◽  
T. GAYNARD ◽  
D. M. MURRAY ◽  
J. M. STOCKDALE
Keyword(s):  
Wood Ants ◽  
Formica Lugubris

scholarly journals Wood ant assemblages of Formica rufa group on lake islands and in mainland woodland in Central Finland

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jouni Sorvari
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Occurrence Probability ◽  
Island Size ◽  
Formica Rufa ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Formica Rufa Group ◽  
Species Area ◽  
Island Community ◽  
Species Area Relationship ◽  
Formica Lugubris

Associations of island size and isolation on the occurrence and species richness of five wood ant species of the Formica rufa group (F. rufa, F. aquilonia, F. lugubris, F. polyctena and F. pratensis) was tested in the Lake Konnevesi archipelago in Central Finland. In addition, the species composition was compared to that of mainland forests of the same region. Island isolation had no associations with the wood ant occurrence in this archipelago, but for most species, increasing island size was positively associated with the occurrence probability. According to the findings among the five species, Formica lugubris is the best adapted for insular living. There was a positive species–area relationship as the species richness of wood ants increased with an increasing island size. The island community of wood ants was dominated by colonies of the monogynous (single queen) species whereas the mainland community was dominated by those of polygynous (multiple queen) species.

scholarly journals Interaction between ants and plants bearing extrafloral nectaries in cerrado vegetation

1998 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo S. Oliveira ◽  
Marcio R. Pie
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Extrafloral Nectaries ◽  
Insect Herbivores ◽  
Cerrado Vegetation ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
The Past ◽  
Plant Foliage ◽  
Herbivore Species

Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are nectar-secreting glands not directly involved with pollination which may occur on virtually all above-ground plant parts of angiosperms. Recent studies revealed that such glands are widely distributed amongst the woody flora of the Brazilian cerrados. Plants bearing EFNs are visited day and night by a diverse assemblage of nectarivorous ants. In this review we present the data gathered during the past 15 years on the interaction between ants and EFN-bearing plants in cerrado vegetation. Field experiments indicate that ants visiting EFNs may prey or attack insect herbivores on the plant foliage, significantly reducing herbivore damage to leaves, buds or flowers. As a response, some herbivore species have developed an array of mechanisms to circumvent the ants' deterring capacities on their host plants. Ant-derived benefits to plants, however, may vary with the species of visiting ant, with the defensive tactics of the associated herbivores, as well as with the plant species. We discuss the results obtained for different cerrado plant species, and suggest some promising topics for future experimental investigation.

INTRODUCTION OF A PREDACIOUS RED WOOD ANT, FORMICA LUGUBRIS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE), FROM ITALY TO EASTERN CANADA

1975 ◽  
Vol 107 (12) ◽  
pp. 1271-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Finnegan
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Red Wood Ants ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
History Of ◽  
Formica Lugubris ◽  
Red Wood Ant

AbstractA brief history of the importance attributed to red wood ants in Europe and the outstanding qualities of three species, Formica lugubris Zett., F. polyctena (Foerst.), and F. aquilonia Yarr., are presented. The reasons for choosing F. lugubris as a suitable species for introduction to Canada are given. The collecting in Italy, shipping by air to Canada, and eventual release in Quebec is discussed. In conclusion it is stated that the establishment and acclimatization of this species in Quebec was successful, and that increased reproduction and spread is anticipated.

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