Studies on the environmental implications of ants (Hymenoptera: formicidae) associated with two synanthropic environments in Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of ants associated wh two synanthropcenvironments in Awka was carried out in 2008 using pitfall and bait traps. The study yelded a total of 561 ants wth 409 obtaned from the hemisynanthrophic environment while 192 ants were collected from the endophilic environment. The percentage occurrence, total dstribution and average numbers o trapped indvidual species oParatrechina, Acantholepis, Pheidole and Camponotus in the hemisynanthrophic environment are (16.9%, 2,6), (35.3%, 150, 12.5), (40.1%, 170, 14.2) and (7.6%, 23, 27) respectvely. The percentage occurrence, total ant distribution and average number of trapped species o Acantholepis and Pheidole sp. using honey as bait are (47.19%, 49, 2.3) and (52.9% 55, 13.8) respectively whereas Paratrechina, Acantholeps and Pheidoe sp. shows (43.8%, 21.5, 3), (31.40%, 15 3.8) and (25%, 12, 3) respectvely when sugar was used as bai. The study further reveals different dispersion patterns and degree of variability between species in the hemisynanthrophic environment. Pheidole sp. and Acanthoepis were also trapped in high numbers. The paucity in the collecion of Paratrechina and Camponotus is possibly suggestive that these species are not attracted to honey baits. The attraction of moreParatrechina species to sugar bait indicated that these species are sugar loving ants.

Keywords: Environmental implications, Ants, Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Synanthropic environments