2005/01/01 by Philip J. Lester, J. B. Keall · 2 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Psychology · #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior #Plant and animal studies #Animal and Plant Science Education #Linepithema #Biology #Hymenoptera #Argentine ant #Nest (protein structural motif) #Pheidole #Ecology #Zoology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/03014223.2005.9518423
openalex publication_date 2005/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/24
Abstract The Australian giant bulldog ant Myrmecia brevinoda Forel was first observed in New Zealand in 1940 (Keall 1981). Further observations of this species were made at a location in Devonport in 1948 and 1965, and a nest destroyed at this site in 1981. Since this time no further observations have been made, yet the status of this species is commonly listed as “uncertain establishment” on New Zealand faunal lists. We describe the control procedure used in 1981. In addition, to determine its current status we resurveyed ants in the area of earlier infestation using visual searches, pitfall trapping, and a reward for discovery posted to local residents. No evidence of M. brevinoda was found, though several other invasive species were found, including the Argentine ant Linepithema humile (Mayr), Pheidole rugosula Forel, and a recently established Australian cryptic Solenopsis species. Given the results of our survey and the absence of other reports of M. brevinoda over the last 24 years, we consider this species to be extinct or eradicated from New Zealand.