The Myrmicinae Ant Pheidole Susannae As Potencial Urban Pest in Colombia

Abstract:
The ant species Pheidole susannae Forel 1886 is native to Central America, its distribution range goes from southern Mexico to northern South America, and it is present in Colombia and Venezuela. Occurs in various habitats, including highly disturbed areas (city parks), seasonal dry forest, mature lowland rainforest, second growth rainforest, on the ground, and in the canopy; nests opportunistically in small cavities. In the interandean valley of Cauca river at southwestern Colombia, P. susannae is frequently collected with tuna baits, both in natural and in highly modified environments. In secondary dry forests, the capture frequency of P. susannae was 27,5%, in sugar cane crops 48,7% and 3,6% in pastures. This species has also been found in Cali. Jamundí and Tulúa, three of the six largest cities at Valle del Cauca County. Soldiers and workers have been collected in household kitchens, where they have been observed consuming sweet and greasy food, especially at night. Although P. susannae has still a low domiciliary incidence, its presence in an urban environment is an example of how potential pests may arise due to landscape transformation from natural cover to agricultural lands, pastures and cities