Abstract

WERENKRUT, Victoria et al. Firewood as a pathway for insect introductions: What are the risks of ant invasions in Patagonia?. Ecol. austral [online]. 2017, vol.27, n.2, pp.305-311. ISSN 1667-782X.

Firewood can act as a long-distance dispersal vector for wood-infesting insects both within and among countries. Recently, we detected the alien carpenter ant Camponotus mus in firewood transported from central Argentina to Patagonia. This species generates significant economic losses in its native range and has invader potential. Moreover, global warming and the increasing anthropogenic disturbance in Patagonian ecosystems make them highly susceptible to insect invasions. This is especially alarming considering the current lack of sanitary controls of incoming goods into the region. To prevent insect introductions via firewood, it is crucial to implement a joint efort among the scientific community, control organisms, government and end user.

Keywords : Alien species; Camponotus mus; Long-distance dispersal; Non-native species; Social insects.