Observations of acrobat ants (Crematogaster sp.) preying on the eggs of the invasive giant applesnail (Pomacea maculata)

Southeastern Naturalist
By: , and 

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Abstract

Herein we provide direct evidence for the consumption of Pomacea maculata (Giant Applesnail) eggs by ants in the genus Crematogaster. The observations were made during removal of snail egg masses at the Hudson Woods Unit of the Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge, TX. We observed acrobat ants (Crematogaster sp.) removing snail eggs from an egg mass and carrying eggs back to their nest. While predation on Pomacea applesnail eggs has been reported elsewhere, to our knowledge this is the first time that it has been observed in North America.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Observations of acrobat ants (Crematogaster sp.) preying on the eggs of the invasive giant applesnail (Pomacea maculata)
Series title Southeastern Naturalist
Volume 1
Issue 20
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher Eagle Hill Publications
Contributing office(s) Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Description 4 p.
First page N15
Last page N18
Country United States
State Texas
Other Geospatial Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge
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