Geographic spread of Pyramica hexamera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dacetini) in the southeastern USA

Abstract

Summary Pyramica hexamera is a tiny predatory ant that feeds on minute soil arthropods. Originally from East Asia, P. hexamera has been recently introduced to North America, apparently through human commerce. Here we document the known range of P. hexamera in Asia and the New World. We compiled and mapped 73 site records of P. hexamera, all from East Asia and the southeastern US. In Asia, P. hexamera records range from 21.9°N to 36.4°N (earliest date and number of sites in parentheses) in Japan (1949; 25), South Korea (1982; 2), and Taiwan (1992; 6). In the US, P. hexamera records range from 28.6°N to 34.3°N: in Florida (1987; 2), Louisiana (1987; 5), Mississippi (2003; 32), and Alabama (2007; 1). Pyramica hexamera is reported for the first time from Alabama. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2012