The Ants of Africa New records of ants from Sudan Acacia senegal, collected by J H Mathews, 2000-2001

Ants from Sudan Acacia senegal, collected by J H Mathews, University of Oxford, 2000-2001

* first record for Sudan

Collection localities

Preliminary trials were in Kordofan in October 2000; location not given but presumably close to the Rahad plantation

Rahad Research Area, Kordofan - 12°56' N 30°35' E; Nov-Dec 2000, 15 plots; June-July 2001, 21 plots; Sept-Oct 2001, 21 plots

Khordonia, Damazine Plantation, Blue Nile - 11°51' N 34°15' E; Nov-Dec 2000, 18 plots; June-July 2001, 12 plots; Sept-Oct 2001, 21 plots

Abu Gmein, Blue Nile - 11°21' N 34°27' E; Nov-Dec 2000, 21 plots; June-July 2001, 21 plots; Sept-Oct 2001, 20 plots

Notes. Arthropod sampling by pyrethrum spray fogging. SNF = semi-natural forest

Species collation page

Mathews (thesis) separated 41 Formicidae RTUs.  Cites 340 samples.
Lepisiota albata commonly has colonies containing pale to near albino specimens, contrasting with the dark red-brown to black majority
Lepisota foreli limited numbers of pale specimens (callows?), distinctive dull appearance of propodeum

Pests:

The sole significant reference seems to be:

Jamal, A. 1994. Major insect pests of gum arabic trees Acacia senegal Willd. and Acacia seyal L. in Western Sudan. Journal of Applied Entomology, 117: 10-20.

ABSTRACT
Acacia senegal (hasbab) and Acacia seyal (talh) are two major gum producing trees found mostly in the Western Region of Sudan. Kordofan Province alone is responsible for 70 % of the national production of gum Arabic. After the long drought that lasted from 1979 and up to 1984 gum production drastically decreased. Insect attacks were incriminated as the main causal agents in the decline of production. A survey executed in the region starting August 1986 uncovered a great number of dead acacias due to drought and pest attack but mainly due to socioeconomic policies involving gum production. The main areas surveyed were the once-rich markets of Barra, El Mazroub, El Khuwei, and around El Obeid area. A visit to El Damokia Forest lying on the Gum Belt was made.

The most important insect pests found in the region were Coleoptera: Sternocera castanea L., Chrysobothris sp., Agrilus spp. and Psiloptera sp. (Buprestidae), Lanelater notodonta Latr. and Tetralobus cavifrons Fairm. (Elateridae), and Acanthophorus confinis Cast (Cerambicidae) and on the seeds Bruchus baudni Caill. (Bruchidae).

None of those would attract ants but there is a report of whitefly in India, Aleyrodids.  I suspect that either aphids or scale insecxts have been overlooked.  The latter would not fall off when pyrethrum fogging is used.

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