Ants Assemblage Method According to an Age Gradient of Mango Orchards in Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Korhogo region in an age gradient of mango orchards. The goal was to assess diversity and determine the influence of the environment on the composition of these organisms. Sampling was done using pitfall traps, threshing and manual collection. A total of 82 ant species were sampled on all plots. The cultivated plots are richer in ant species than the natural environment. Of the three (3) sampling methods, the Manual Collection proved to be more efficient (eff = 79.52%), followed by threshing (eff = 75.15%) and finally the least effective trap pit (eff = 73.39%). The number of individuals of the species varies according to the environment. The highest value was obtained in the young plot (485 individuals), followed by the intermediate plot (478 individuals), then the older plot (426 individuals) and finally the control plot (320 individuals). The species Camponotus acvapimensis was harvested mainly with 159 individuals. On the other hand, the species Lepisiota sp.1; Camponotus rufigenis, Camponotus sericeus and Oecophylla longinoda were specifically harvested in the control, young, intermediate and aged plots, respectively.