Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Nests and Population of Crematogaster macaoensis Wheeler in Mutualistic Relationship

LI Ke-li;CHEN You-qing;LU Zhi-xing;ZHANG Wei;WANG Si-ming;Research Institute of Resources Insects,Chinese Academy of Forestry;School of Forestry,Southwest Forestry University;

Crematogaster macaoensis;;distribution patterns;;mutualism;;ant nest;;Kerria yunnanensis;;population dynamics

Crematogaster macaoensis Wheeler and Kerria yunnanensis Ou et Hong form a mutualistic relationship in lac plantation. In order to explore the distribution patterns of ant nests and the spatiotemporal dynamics of ant populations,the numbers,coordinates and sizes of ant nests were investigated,and the numbers of ant nests and numbers of total workers in different months were recorded in lac plantations and controlled plantations from November2009 to July 2010 in Yayi Town,Mojiang County,Yunnan Province. The results showed that both the numbers of ant nests and workers in lac plantation were higher than that in the controlled plantations. There were aggregated,random and over-dispersed patterns of nests in sampling sites. The frequency of random pattern in lac plantation was more than that in controlled plantation. The number of workers in lac adulthood was a little more than that in larval phase. These results suggested that the nest distribution patterns were changed,and the quantity of ant population was increased under mutualistic relationship. This research could provide a scientific reference to utilize Crematogaster macaoensis Wheeler for biological control of pests.