The role of ant-mediated biological interactions in agroecosystems

Abstract

Ants are common in agroecosystems, where they can significantly impact agricultural production and yield through interactions with other organisms. By regulating crop-damaging insects and occasionally pollinating flowers, ants provide ecosystem services. However, ants can harm crops through herbivory, tending hemipterans, eating beneficial arthropods, or vectoring disease. In this review, we provide an overview of the roles played by ants in agroecosystems through their interactions with other species. We categorize ant species interactions as beneficial or harmful, direct or indirect, and address the importance of context-dependency. In addition to reviewing the role of ant-mediated biological interactions in agroecosystems, we discuss management implications that should be considered when supporting or suppressing ants. This article provides new insights and suggests promising directions for utilizing ants to implement more sustainable agricultural practices in agroecosystems across the globe. We propose that ants play critical roles in agroecosystems through their interactions with other organisms and should be considered when making management decisions.