New reports of the Argentine ant Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Algeria

Abstract

S. Slimani, H. Berrai, R. Meridji, A. Taheri, L. Dahmani, A. Chebli, M. Biche

The species was firstly reported in 1923 by Cagniant without précising the localization. It was only in 2015 that Barech et al., rediscovered this ant around Melbou in the locality of Bejaia (Algeria). This study is conducted within the framework of a project of PhD on myrmécologique wildlife Algeria. During our investigations across the national territory, we were able to collect specimens of the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868). The species has been recently collected from 5 localities in the coast from Algiers to Jijel and 1 signalization has been done in the town of Tizi Gheniff (Province of Tizi Ouzou, 90 km East of Algiers).

Keywords: Linepithema humile; Formicidae; Rediscovery; Algeria
 

 

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