Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) present in apiaries of Apis mellifera of the Temperate Valleys of the province of Jujuy-Argentina

• Main Authors: Ruiz Gisela Beatriz, Benítez-Ahrendts Marcelo
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Selva Andina Research Society 2018-08-01
• Series: Journal of the Selva Andina Research Society
• Subjects: taxonomy; ants; apis mellifera l. interaction.
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.org.bo/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2072-92942018000200007&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es
• ISSN: 2072-9294; 2072-9308

The present investigation was carried out with the purpose of determining the presence of different species of ants in hives of Apis mellifera L., and to describe the activity observed by means of the survey of apiaries located in different localities of temperate valleys of the province of Jujuy. Manually collected between 10-20 individuals of different species of ants in adult and immature state present in ceilings and interstates of honey bee hives, as well as anthills located in the vicinity. They were stored in 70% alcohol. The collection was carried out during the dry season and the wet season. The taxonomic identification was carried out using appropriate codes. The identified ants were Camponotus substitutus, Camponotus mus, Acromyrmex hispidus, Linepithema humile, Crematogaster spp. (Subgenus Orthocrema) and Solenopsis spp. Five of these species did not appear to be harmful to bees, whereas in Sole colonies due to lack of food or old queens the intrusion of Solenopsis sp. It can be concluded that the ant species identified did not generate economic damage to the beekeepers of these hives. This work could be the starting point for studies related to the management and control of ants present in hives of Apis mellifera L. It should continue with the registration and study of these hymenoptera in other apicultural areas.