scholarly journals Behavioural and socially parasitic relations between Polyergus rufescens (Latr.) and Formica polyctena Först. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Czechowski
Keyword(s):  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Formica Polyctena ◽  
Chemical Camouflage ◽  
Białowieża Forest ◽  
Ne Poland ◽  
Formica Fusca ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Polyergus Rufescens ◽  
Mutual Relations ◽  
Competition Hierarchy

Polyergus rufescens (Latr.), an obligate slave-maker, and Formica polyctena Först., an aggressive, territorial wood ant species, rarely co-occur in the field, and there are almost no data on their mutual relations under natural conditions. These interactions were studied in the Bialowieza Forest (NE Poland), based on two P. rufescens colonies (with Formica fusca L. slaves) nesting within the territories of F. polyctena. The wood ants routinely searched the immediate vicinity of P. rufescens nests, whereas P. rufescens ants raided F. fusca colonies very close to F. polyctena nests or their columns passed right next to them, they eventually crossed wood ants’ foraging and removal routes, and even directly attacked F. polyctena colonies and robbed their brood. Interspeciflc relations in these particular situations are described and discussed in the contexts of supposed chemical camouflage/mimicry of P. rufescens and interspecific competition hierarchy in ants.

scholarly journals Consequences of Climate Change-Induced Habitat Conversions on Red Wood Ants in a Central European Mountain: A Case Study

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1677
Author(s):  
Orsolya Juhász ◽  
Ágnes Fürjes-Mikó ◽  
Anna Tenyér ◽  
Anna Ágnes Somogyi ◽  
Dianne Joy Aguilon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Central European ◽  
Formica Polyctena ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Red Wood Ants ◽  
Wood Ants

The consequences of anthropogenic climate change are one of the major concerns of conservation biology. A cascade of negative effects is expected to affect various ecosystems, one of which is Central European coniferous forests and their unique biota. These coniferous forests are the primary habitat of many forest specialist species such as red wood ants. Climate change-induced rising of temperature allows trees to skip winter hibernation, making them more vulnerable to storms that cause wind felling, and in turn, promotes bark beetle infestations that results in unscheduled clear-cuttings. Red wood ants can also be exposed to such habitat changes. We investigated the effects of bark beetle-induced clear-cutting and the absence of coniferous trees on colonies of Formica polyctena, including a mixed-coniferous forest as a reference. Our aim was to investigate how these habitat features affect the nest characteristics and nesting habits of F. polyctena. Our results indicate that, in the absence of conifers, F. polyctena tend to use different alternatives for nest material, colony structure, and food sources. However, the vitality of F. polyctena colonies significantly decreased (smaller nest mound volumes). Our study highlights the ecological flexibility of this forest specialist and its potential to survive under extreme conditions.

scholarly journals Fungus moths (Lepidoptera, Tineidae) of the Białowieża Forest

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Jaworski ◽  
Jacek Hilszczański ◽  
Radosław Plewa ◽  
Andrzej Szczepkowski
Keyword(s):  
Current Distribution ◽  
New Records ◽  
Białowieża Forest ◽  
Ne Poland ◽  
First Time ◽  
Laboratory Breeding

AbstractNew records for twenty species of saproxylic tineid moths (Lepidoptera, Tineidae) from the Białowieża Forest (NE Poland) are presented. Most species were recorded on the basis of laboratory breeding of the adult moths from the sporocarps of wood-decaying fungi inhabited by the larvae. Some species were captured using barrier traps or were collected at light. One species, Dryadaula irinae (Savenkov, 1989), is recorded for the first time from Poland and three others, Nemaxera betulinella (Paykull, 1785), Nemapogon fungivorella (Benander, 1939) and Elatobia fuliginosella Lienig & Zeller, 1846, are recognized as new for the fauna of the Białowieża Forest. The current distribution in Poland of each species is briefly discussed, and some remarks on its biology are given

scholarly journals Movements of European bison (Bison bonasus) beyond the Białowieża Forest (NE Poland): range expansion or partial migrations?

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafał Kowalczyk ◽  
Małgorzata Krasińska ◽  
Tomasz Kamiński ◽  
Marcin Górny ◽  
Paweł Struś ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Expansion ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Białowieża Forest ◽  
Ne Poland

No difference in ectomycorrhizal morphotype composition between abandoned and inhabited nests of wood ants (Formica polyctena) in a central European spruce forest

Geoderma ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 334 ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
Veronika Jílková ◽  
Martin Vohník ◽  
Ondřej Mudrák ◽  
Hana Šimáčková ◽  
Jan Frouz
Keyword(s):  
Spruce Forest ◽  
Central European ◽  
Formica Polyctena ◽  
Wood Ants

scholarly journals Wood ants as biological control of the forest pest beetles Ips spp.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gema Trigos-Peral ◽  
Orsolya Juhász ◽  
Péter János Kiss ◽  
Gábor Módra ◽  
Anna Tenyér ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Forest Pest ◽  
Biological Pest Control ◽  
Formica Polyctena ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Wood Boring

AbstractClimate change is one of the major threats to biodiversity, but its impact varies among the species. Bark beetles (Ips spp.), as well as other wood-boring pests of European forests, show escalating numbers in response to the changes driven by climate change and seriously affect the survival of the forests through the massive killing of trees. Many methods were developed to control these wood-boring beetles, however, their implementation can be detrimental for other forest specialists. Ants are widely used for biological pest-control, so in our study, we aimed to test the effect of Formica polyctena on the control of the wood-boring beetles. The results show that the proportion of infested trees is significantly reduced by the increase of the number of F. polyctena nests, with a strong effect on those infested by Ips species. We also show that the boring beetle community is shaped by different biotic and abiotic factors, including the presence of F. polyctena nests. However, the boring beetle infestation was not related to the latitude, altitude and age of the forests. Based on our results, we assert the effectiveness of the red wood ants as biological pest control and the importance of their conservation to keep the health of the forests.

scholarly journals An Annotated And Illustrated Catalogue Of Polypores (Agaricomycetes) Of The Białowieża Forest (NE Poland)

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariusz Karasiński ◽  
Marek Wołkowycki
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Białowieża Forest ◽  
Ne Poland ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Białowieża National Park ◽  
Voucher Specimens ◽  
Annotated Catalogue ◽  
First Time

AbstractThe Białowieża Forest (BF) is one of the best-preserved lowland deciduous and mixed forest complexes in Europe, rich in diverse fungi. This paper summarizes what is known about the poroid fungi of the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest, based on literature data, a re-examination of herbarium materials, and the authors’ studies from 1990–2014. An annotated catalogue of polypores recorded in the forest is presented, including 80 genera with 210 species. All literature and herbarium records are enumerated, and 160 species are illustrated with color pictures. Fourteen species previously reported in the literature have uncertain status because they lack voucher specimens and were not confirmed in recent field studies. Antrodiella subradula (Pilát) Niemelä & Miettinen, previously known from Asia, is reported for the first time from Europe. Fourteen species are newly reported from the Białowieża Forest (mainly from Białowieża National Park), including 8 species with first records in Poland (Antrodia hyalina Spirin, Miettinen & Kotir., Antrodia infirma Renvall & Niemelä, Antrodiella subradula, Junghuhnia fimbriatella (Peck) Ryvarden, Postia folliculocystidiata (Kotl. & Vampola) Niemelä & Vampola, Postia minusculoides (Pilát ex Pilát) Boulet, Skeletocutis chrysella Niemelä, Skeletocutis papyracea A. David), and 6 species reported previously from other localities in Poland [Antrodiella faginea Vampola & Pouzar, Dichomitus campestris (Quél.) Domański & Orlicz, Loweomyces fractipes (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) Jülich, Oxyporus latemarginatus (Durieu & Mont.) Donk, Perenniporia narymica (Pilát) Pouzar, Phellinus nigricans (Fr.) P. Karst.]. Several very rare European polypores already reported from the Białowieża Forest in the 20th century, such as Antrodia albobrunnea (Romell) Ryvarden, Antrodiella foliaceodentata (Nikol.) Gilb. & Ryvarden, Buglossoporus pulvinus (Pers.) Donk, Dichomitus albidofuscus (Domański) Domański and Gelatoporia subvermispora (Pilát) Niemelä, were found at new localities, confirming their continuous occurrence in this forest.

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