Keanekaragaman dan kelimpahan semut pada perkebunan kakao di Jawa Timur: pengaruh kondisi habitat dan keberadaan tropobion

Kondisi habitat di sekitar pertanaman kakao yang meliputi tutupan kanopi dan vegetasi bawah (gulma) serta keberadaan tropobion kutu putih (Planococcus sp.) dapat mempengaruhi keanekaragaman dan kelimpahan semut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari keanekaragaman dan kelimpahan semut pada perkebunan kakao serta mempelajari pengaruh kondisi habitat perkebunan kakao dan keberadaan tropobion terhadap kekayaan spesies dan kelimpahan semut. Penelitian dilaksanakan di 12 lokasi yang tersebar di lima kabupaten di Jawa Timur. Pengambilan contoh semut dilakukan dengan metode umpan tuna dan pengambilan secara langsung. Dari hasil penelitian ditemukan 8 spesies semut dari 5.475 individu. Semut paling dominan yang ditemukan pada lokasi penelitian, yaitu Dolichoderus thoracicus (Smith) dan Technomyrmex albipes (Smith). Berdasarkan analisis regresi, terdapat hubungan antara tutupan kanopi dan keanekaragaman vegetasi dengan spesies semut, tetapi tidak dengan kelimpahannya, sedangkan keberadaan tropobion menunjukkan korelasi positif dengan kelimpahan semut. Kondisi habitat pertanaman kakao dan keberadaan tropobion mempengaruhi keanekaragaman dan kelimpahan semut di perkebunan kakao.

Kelimpahan Jenis Semut Di Areal Pemukiman Hutan Lindung Sirimau Kota Ambon

The experiment was conducted at residential areas Sirimau forest with three sampling methods, which were hand collecting, bait trap (sugar and tuna) and pitfall traps from July to September 2011. The study aims to determine abudance of ants in residential areas in Ambon Sirimau Protected Forest areas. The results of study found 16 species of ants in total reaching 14.913. The most dominant types are Odontoponera denticulata, Pheidole megacephala, Technomyrmex albipes, Tetramorium simillimum, Tetramorium bicarinatum, Tapinoma melanocephalum, Paratrechina longicornis and Anoplolepis gracilipes. Total abudance of ants is 2.789 classified as moderate by spread of number of individual spread and of community stability. The abudance of ants is strongly influenced by light intensity, temperature, humidity, wind, water and season. Difference of temperature micro, light climate, humidit, interspecific competition, availability of variety of food sources, habitat quality and human activities also affect the abudance of ants. Another finding showed invasive ants, they were Soleonopsis geminate, Paratrechina longicornis and Anoplolepis gracilipes. Keywords: Abudance of ants, invasive species, protected areas, settlement areaAbstrakPenelitian dilaksanakan pada areal pemukiman dalam Hutan Lindung Sirimau dengan tiga metode pengambilan sampel yakni hand collecting, bait trap (umpan gula dan ikan tuna) dan pitfall trap dari bulan Juli hingga september 2011. Penelitian bertujuan mengetahui keragaman semut pada areal pemukiman dalam kawasan Hutan Lindung Sirimau Ambon. Hasil penelitian menemukan adanya 16 jenis semut dengan total individu mencapai 14.913. Jenis–jenis yang sangat dominan dalam kawasan yakni Odontoponera denticulata, Pheidole megacephala, Technomyrmex albipes, Tetramorium simillimum, Tetramorium bicarinatum, Tapinoma melanocephalum, Paratrechina longicornis dan Anoplolepis gracilipes. Total keragaman jenis semut 2.789 tergolong sedang dengan penyebaran jumlah individu semut dan tingkat kestabilan komunitas sedang. Keragaman semut dipengaruhi oleh intensitas cahaya matahari, suhu, kelembaban, angin, air dan musim. Diduga perbedaan suhu mikro, iklim, cahaya, kelembaban, pola makan, kompetisi interspesifik, variasi ketersediaan sumber makanan, kualitas habitat dan aktivitas manusia yang memengaruhi keragaman semut dalam areal pemukiman hutan lindung Sirimau Ambon. Ditemukan 3 jenis semut yang invasif yakni Soleonopsis geminate, Paratrechina longicornis dan Anoplolepis gracilipes. Kata kunci: Kelimpahan semut, spesies invasif, hutan lindung, tipe penggunaan lahan pemukiman

White-Footed Ant, Technomyrmex albipes (Fr. Smith) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae)

The white-footed ant, Technomyrmex albipes (Fr. Smith) has been making news in Florida over the last few years as a pest ant of major importance. Pest control companies, the media and homeowners continually consult universities and government agencies for information on how to control this nuisance ant. This report provides recent information (August 2002) on the distribution and habits of the white-footed ant (WFA) in Florida and the research being conducted on improved control practices. This document is EENY-273, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: August 2002. EENY-273/IN551: White-Footed Ant, Technomyrmex difficilis (=albipes) Forel (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae) (ufl.edu)

Notes on some Coccinellidae (Col.) from Islands in the Indian Ocean

This species is found on most of the islands of the Seychelles archipelago including the sand cays of the Amirantes group. It is said to have been introduced about sixty years ago to prey on the Coccid pest Icerya seychellarum, which is reported to have been the most serious pest of coconuts in the Colony at that time. The Icerya is the only prey of R. chermesina, and the latter has evidently kept the former in check on coconut but is unable to prevent occasional damage being done to fruit and other trees. The plants most frequently damaged by Icerya are:—Jak fruit, bread fruit, banana, avocado, citrus and forest tree seedlings, notably Eucalyptus, Albizzia and Casuarina. On certain islands where Rodolia is not present Icerya still occasionally damages coconut. Vedalia cardinalis, the famous predator of Icerya purchasi, also feeds on Icerya seychellarum in captivity, but, to date, liberations have failed to establish this species in Seychelles. Hence R. chermesina remains the most effective known predator of I. seychellarum under Seychelles conditions. No parasites are known from R. chermesina in Seychelles, but the black ant, Technomyrmex albipes, which constantly attends Icerya in large numbers, drives away the Coccinellid.