One of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Detected in Cyprus

Jakovos Demetriou; Christos Georgiadis; Helen E. Roy; Angeliki F. Martinou; Lech Borowiec; Sebastian Salata

doi:10.13102/sociobiology.v69i4.8536

One of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Detected in Cyprus

Jakovos Demetriou, Christos Georgiadis, Helen E. Roy, Angeliki F. Martinou, Lech Borowiec, Sebastian Salata

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original language	English
Article number	e8536
Journal	Sociobiology
Volume	69
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v69i4.8536
Publication status	Published - Dec 2022
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Alien ants
biological invasions
first record
island invasions
little fire ant
non-native species

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Insect Science

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.13102/sociobiology.v69i4.8536

Cite this

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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",

year = "2022",

month = dec,

doi = "10.13102/sociobiology.v69i4.8536",

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AU - Demetriou, Jakovos

AU - Georgiadis, Christos

AU - Roy, Helen E.

AU - Martinou, Angeliki F.

AU - Borowiec, Lech

AU - Salata, Sebastian

PY - 2022/12

Y1 - 2022/12

N2 - 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.

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KW - Alien ants

KW - biological invasions

KW - first record

KW - island invasions

KW - little fire ant

KW - non-native species

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One of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Detected in Cyprus

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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