Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863)

Jallow, Mamudou & Gomez, Kiko, 2024, Intriguing additions of exotic and invasive ants to The Gambia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Belgian Journal of Entomology 146, pp. 1-12 : 10

Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863)

Fig. 9

First record to Gambia.

This invasive ant of Neotropical origin is steadily spreading to the tropical regions, having been recently detected in Spain ( ESPADALER et al., 2018), Guandong ( CHEN et al., 2022) and Taiwan ( LEE et al., 2021).

Reported from Central Africa and Sierra Leone, its presence in this country should be confirmed as its first record dates from 1890; with no additional records in between ( WETTERER, 2013). Its presence in Central Africa, though, is confirmed and its spreading from Gabon in the neighboring countries is well documented.

Our observation is the second record for Western Africa, and its presence is worrying due to the huge impacts that this species tends to have both for humans and in ecosystems ( WETTERER, 2013). Its distribution and most probable expansion should be monitored to prevent future damages.

Several workers were found in the same spot as B. depilis and S. eggersi . This spot has no special characteristic that can make us think that this is the initial focus of infection, as it is not close to any harbor or merchandise transport hub.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: The Gambia: West Coast : Gambia College Mosque (Brikama) 20 m. 13.28441, -16.65637, Ruderal. Wetterer, J. 17/11/2022, Hand collected, Foraging [KG06048, KGCOL02560 ]

Figures

Fig.9. Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863) (CASENT0178173), Paraguay. A, Head frontal view. B, Habitus lateral view. © Antweb.