Tapinoma Nigerrimum Complex - A Challenge For Pest Management In Central Europe

For more than 20 years various invasive ant species cause tremendous problems in Central Europe. The Tapinoma nigerrimum complex (Formicidae, Dolichoderinae) was first detected in 2007 in nursery plants. Further discoveries followed in the following years. Because of their species-specific properties the control is often a challenge for PMP and has to break new ground. Using the example of a super-colony discovered 2019 in and around greenhouses in Langenfeld near Düsseldorf, Germany, ways of pest control management combined with the control of aphid occurrence are discussed.