1 Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University 1-1 Minami-Osawa, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan 2 Department of Forest Entomology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan *E-mail: esunamura@ffpri.affrc.go.jp 2. Taxonomy and Distribution of T. brunneus 1. Introduction 2024 AIRIES White-footed ants of the genus Technomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) originated from Asia but have invaded several subtropical regions of the globe and have become significant pests in recent years. Invasive populations of T. brunneus in Japan have ecological characteristics typical of other invasive ants, such as polygyny, unicoloniality, pre-adaptation to disturbed habitats, and herbivorous but flexible feeding habits. This species shows extreme polygyny and high reproductivity, because its colonies include numerous intercastes (worker-like queens). Therefore, population densities reach high levels, leading them to become a serious nuisance as household pests. Additionally, T. brunneus possesses other characteristics that make its control difficult, such as arboreality, absence of trophallaxis, low insecticide susceptibility, and bait preference biased to liquids. Recent studies have revealed that hydrogel baits, which are liquid baits sustained by superabsorbent polymers, are suitable for controlling this species. Here we review the pest status, ecology, and control of T. brunneus and indicate future research directions to stop the damage it causes. Key words: bait, insecticide, invasive ants, nuisance pest, Technomyrmex, unicolonial Invasive alien ants have high reproductive ability and cause various kinds of damage to local ecosystems, the human economy, and human/animal health where they have been introduced, as represented by the red-imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta and Argentine ant Linepithema humile (Holway et al., 2002; Angulo et al., 2022). The following ecological characteristics are thought to be responsible for the high reproductive ability of these ants: polygyny, unicoloniality, flexible but herbivorous feeding habits, and pre-adaptation to disturbed habitats (Holway et al., 2002). White-footed ants of the genus Technomyrmex are invasive ants that are native to Asia but have recently been spreading globally and increasing their pest status. Technomyrmex difficilis has invaded Florida and the West Indies, rapidly expanding its distribution and becoming a nuisance pest around residential areas (Warner & Scheffrahn, 2005; Wetterer, 2008, 2013). Similarly, T. vitiensis has invaded North and South America and Europe (Bolton, 2007; Wetterer, 2008; Fernàndez & Abstract Guerrevo, 2008; Delabie et al., 2011; Väänänen et al., 2018). Technomyrmex from East-to-Southeast Asia (Bolton, 2007; Putri & Cronin, 2023) and was introduced into the Ryukyu Islands of Japan more than 90 years ago without becoming a significant pest. However, it has now invaded southern Kyushu as well as Hachijo Island and the Ogasawara Islands, belonging to Tokyo, where its nuisance as a household pest is becoming serious (Ogura et al., 2017; Terayama et al., 2021a; Eguchi et al., 2023). In this review, we report on the invasive impacts of T. brunneus on Hachijo Island, Japan, and the efforts for its areawide management. We also discuss taxonomic confusion and the risks of misidentification associated with this species, as well as its ecological characteristics that make it difficult to control. Regarding the taxonomy of the Japanese population of T. brunneus, the scientific name T. albipes was applied for a long time. Overseas, much literature can be found on brunneus 133 originated Eiriki SUNAMURA1,2,*, Mamoru TERAYAMA1 and Katsuyuki EGUCHI1 Global Environmental Research 28/2024 133-141 printed in Japan The Biology and Management of the White-footed Ant Technomyrmex brunneus in Japan
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