Norwegian Journal of Entomology (2002) 49, 139-142
Tone Birkemoe (2002)
Structural infestations of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in southern Norway
Norwegian Journal of Entomology 49 (2), 139-142
Abstract: An investigation of structure-infesting ants was carried out in southern Norway during the summer of 2002. A questionnaire including information about nesting locations and building characteristics was distributed to pest control operators. Together with ants collected at the sites, the questionnaire answers provide the basis of the present study. The attacked buildings were mainly located along the southern coast from Kragero to Stavanger (31 cases). Four additional cases were reported from Oppland County. Camponotus ligniperda was the most common carpenter ant species (26 attacks) while Camponotus herculeanus was only found in five buildings. In addition to the carpenter ants, two smaller ant species, Lasius platythorax (three attacks) and Formica fusca or F. lemani (one attack), were reported. Carpenter ant's nests were located in 71 % of the attacked buildings. Similar to previous findings from USA and Sweden, outer walls were the most commonly attacked structure followed by the floor and roof. However, almost all buildings with unknown nesting locations had heated floors with polystyrene insulation. Only a few buildings where the nests have been located had a similar construction and this difference was statistically significant. Thus, in cases were the nests could not be located carpenter ant attacks are most likely associated with heated floors and polystyrene. This complicates sanitation, as ant nest location is usually a prerequisite for a successful extermination of carpenter ants.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Tone Birkemoe
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camponotus herculeanus | Wood products | Norway | ||
| Camponotus ligniperda | Wood products | Norway | ||
| Lasius platythorax | Wood products | Norway |
