Abstract

MURGUIA-GONZALEZ, Joaquín et al. New records of ants for Oaxaca, Mexico: their agricultural importance in sugarcane crops. Agrociencia [online]. 2018, vol.52, n.3, pp.379-391. ISSN 2521-9766.

The myrmecofauna is little studied in some regions of Mexico, so state inventories continue to increase. In the northeastern region of the state of Oaxaca, the collection of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was performed directly by hand and using traps in sugarcane crops (Saccharum officinarum L.) to contribute to the inventory of Formicidae and its agricultural importance. We identified thirteen species of ants, of which five were not documented in Oaxaca. The new records add agroecological value to the known species in Oaxaca since some ants act as direct and indirect pests, while others play the role of natural enemies of certain pests. Although some of the species reported in this study are common in terms of abundance in cane crops, they were not reported or identified in these agroecosystems. The presence of non-native species, which inhabit the sugarcane agroecosystems and interact positively or negatively with other arthropods associated with these crops highlights the need for knowledge of the myrmecofauna of the state of Oaxaca and, in particular, in sugarcane crops.

Keywords : mirmecofauna; Formicidae; natural enemies; pests; agroecosystems.