@article{2a3099dc734a4ce28f35103ab3e87261,
title = "One of the World{\textquoteright}s Worst Invasive Alien Species Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Detected in Cyprus",
abstract = "Native to the Neotropics, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863) has been unintentionally introduced around the world, heavily impacting native ant biodiversity, societies, and economies as well as human and animal health due to its potentially dangerous stings. Herein we report on the first record of W. auropunctata in Cyprus. Specimens were collected from plant nurseries and tourist facilities in Paphos and Limassol district. Wasmannia auropunctata is believed to spread via the horticultural pathway to locations with sufficient humidity. Further research is necessary to determine the distribution and assess possible negative impacts of W. auropunctata to native biodiversity, society, the economy and human health in Cyprus.",
keywords = "Alien ants, biological invasions, first record, island invasions, little fire ant, non-native species",
author = "Jakovos Demetriou and Christos Georgiadis and Roy, {Helen E.} and Martinou, {Angeliki F.} and Lech Borowiec and Sebastian Salata",
note = "Funding Information: We are very thankful to Dr Armin Ionescu (The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University) and Section Editor MSc Enrico Schifani (Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Universit{\`a} degli Studi di Parma) for their valuable provided information on the distribution of W. auropunctata in Israel and Italy, respectively. We are also thankful to the anonymous reviewers for their comments, suggestions and corrections upon the manuscript. We would also like to thank the UK Government through Darwin Plus (DPLUS0124), for funding this project and material surveys of Jakovos Demetriou. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana. All rights reserved.",
year = "2022",
month = dec,
doi = "10.13102/sociobiology.v69i4.8536",
language = "English",
volume = "69",
journal = "Sociobiology",
issn = "0361-6525",
publisher = "California State University, Chico",
number = "4",
}
