European Fire Ant Presence Decreases Native Arboreal Insect Abundance in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA
Abstract
This study examines the impacts of European fire ants on arboreal insect abundance and diversity in Acadia National Park, Maine. Abundance and diversity were quantified via arboreal pitfall traps that were checked every three days for 21 days from May to June 2009. In areas infested with European fire ants, arboreal insect abundance declined, but arboreal insect species richness remained unchanged. This study illustrates the importance of examining the ecological links between canopies and leaf litter and demonstrates the breadth of impacts that biological invasions can have in an ecosystem.
Recommended Citation
R. M. Verble and S. Pearson, "European Fire Ant Presence Decreases Native Arboreal Insect Abundance in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA," Natural Areas Journal, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 162 - 165, Natural Areas Association, Apr 2016.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.3375/043.036.0207
Department(s)
Biological Sciences
Keywords and Phrases
Community Ecology; Exotic; Formicidae; Invasive Species; Myrmica Rubra
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0885-8608
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2016 Natural Areas Association, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Apr 2016
