{"id":1131,"date":"2015-10-09T11:30:29","date_gmt":"2015-10-09T18:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1131"},"modified":"2022-05-16T09:46:55","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:46:55","slug":"formica-francoeuri-bolton-native-ant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1131","title":{"rendered":"Formica francoeuri Bolton: Native Ant"},"content":{"rendered":"
California Pest Rating for<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Formica francoeuri<\/em><\/strong> Bolton: Native Ant<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Hymenoptera: Formicidae<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Pest Rating: C<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\n
PEST RATING PROFILE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Initiating Event: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

On September 25, 2015 it was found that a resident of Orange County is selling queen ant starter colonies for Formica francoeuri<\/em>.\u00a0 An internet search reveals that this ant is commonly kept by hobbyists.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to determine future direction on this pest.<\/p>\n

History & Status:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Background<\/u>:\u00a0 Formica francoeuri<\/em> nests in soil and forages for honeydew from aphids and mealybugs1<\/sup>.\u00a0 It is known to tend the larvae of at least six species of lycaenid butterflies in California2<\/sup>.\u00a0 It is not known to have been inadvertently spread via any human assisted pathways.<\/p>\n

Worldwide Distribution<\/u>: Formica francoeuri<\/em> is native to California and Baja California3<\/sup>.\u00a0 It is not known to have invaded any other states or nations.<\/p>\n

Official Control<\/u>: Formica francoeuri<\/em> is not known to be under official control in any other states or nations.\u00a0 However, all ants are considered harmful organisms by Australia and Nauru4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

California Distribution<\/u>:\u00a0 Formica francoeuri<\/em> is native to and widespread in California.<\/p>\n

California Interceptions<\/u>:\u00a0 Formica francoeuri<\/em> has not been reported in any regulatory situations in California.<\/p>\n

The risk Formica francoeuri<\/em> would pose to California is evaluated below.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1) Climate\/Host Interaction<\/strong>: Formica francoeuri<\/em> is native to and widespread in California and is not likely to establish in parts of the state where it does not already occur. It receives a Low (1) <\/strong><\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California.\u00a0 Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.<\/p>\n

2) Known Pest Host Range:<\/strong> Formica francoeuri<\/em> is a generalist feeder on honeydew and has never been documented as a plant pest.\u00a0 It receives a Low (1)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> has a very limited host range.<\/span><\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has a moderate host range.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has a wide host range.<\/p>\n

3) Pest Dispersal Potential:<\/strong> Ants typically have high reproductive rates.\u00a0 Formica francoeuri <\/em>has not been reported to move long distances in commerce.\u00a0 It receives a Medium (2)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

4) Economic Impact:<\/strong> Formica francoeuri<\/em> is already widespread in California and it has not lowered any crop yields or reduced crop values.\u00a0 Its presence has not disrupted any markets.\u00a0 It has not changed cultural practices or vectored other organisms.\u00a0 It is not known to have injured any animals or interfered with any water supplies.\u00a0 Formica francoeuri<\/em> receives a Low (1)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:<\/p>\n

A. The pest could lower crop yield.<\/p>\n

B. The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).<\/p>\n

C. The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).<\/p>\n

D. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.<\/p>\n

E. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.<\/p>\n

F. \u00a0The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.<\/p>\n

G. \u00a0The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes 2 of these impacts.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes 3 or more of these impacts.<\/p>\n

5) Environmental Impact:<\/strong> Formica francoeuri<\/em> is native to and widespread in California and it has not been found to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes.\u00a0 It has not affected any threatened or endangered species or disrupted critical habitats.\u00a0 The ant is not known to have triggered any treatment programs or impacted cultural practices, home\/urban gardening, or ornamental plantings.\u00a0 Formica francoeuri<\/em> receives a Low (1)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.<\/p>\n

A. \u00a0The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.<\/p>\n

B. \u00a0The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.<\/p>\n

C. \u00a0The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.<\/p>\n

D. \u00a0The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.<\/p>\n

E. \u00a0The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home\/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.<\/p>\n

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes none of the above to occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes one of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes two or more of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction to California for Formica francoeuri<\/em> (native ant): Low (6)<\/span>.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Add up the total score and include it here.<\/p>\n

–Low<\/strong> = 5-8 points<\/span><\/p>\n

–Medium<\/strong> = 9-12 points<\/p>\n

–High<\/strong> = 13-15 points<\/p>\n

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information:<\/strong> Formica francoeuri<\/em> is widespread in California and receives a High (-3)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.<\/p>\n

–Not established (0)<\/strong> Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.<\/p>\n

–Low (-1)<\/strong> Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate\/host area (region).<\/p>\n

–Medium (-2)<\/strong> Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

–High (-3)<\/strong> Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final Score:<\/h5>\n

The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: Low (3) <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Uncertainty: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

There is low uncertainty with this ant.<\/p>\n

Conclusion and Rating Justification: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

Formica francoeuri<\/em> is a native ant that is widespread in California and is not known to have ever had any negative economic or environmental impacts.\u00a0 No significant impacts are expected from hobbyists trading colonies of this ant within the state.\u00a0 A \u201cC\u201d rating is justified.<\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1<\/sup> Robinson, William H. 2005. Urban Insects and Arachnids: A Handbook of Urban Entomology. Cambridge University Press.\u00a0 https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=aluUgDVYJ8wC&pg=PA247&lpg=PA247&dq=formica+francoeuri&source=bl&ots=HusuoBZINl&sig=UtduAv7yswlPy49d0H852RenfSQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCIQ6AEwATgUahUKEwjrzf_mm6LIAhWLTIgKHc-YCv0#v=onepage&q=formica%20francoeuri&f=false<\/a><\/p>\n

2<\/sup> Oliver, Jeffrey C. and Laura R. Stein. 2011. Evolution of influence: signaling in a lycaenid-ant interaction. Evol. Ecol. 25: 1205-1216. http:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Laura_Stein2\/publication\/251313007_Evolution_of_influence_signaling_in_a_lycaenid-ant_interaction\/links\/53ee51f00cf26b9b7dc793ba.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

3<\/sup> Formica francoeuri<\/em>. From AntWiki: http:\/\/www.antwiki.org\/wiki\/Formica_francoeuri<\/a><\/p>\n

4<\/sup> USDA Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance & Tracking System (PCIT) Phytosanitary Export Database (PExD).\u00a0 https:\/\/pcit.aphis.usda.gov\/pcit\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Responsible Party:<\/h5>\n

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0PEST RATING: \u00a0C<\/h3>\n
\n

Posted by ls<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California Pest Rating for Formica francoeuri Bolton: Native Ant Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest Rating: C PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: On September 25, 2015 it was found that a resident of Orange County is selling queen ant starter colonies for Formica francoeuri.\u00a0 An internet search reveals that this ant is commonly kept by hobbyists.\u00a0 A pest … Continue reading Formica francoeuri Bolton: Native Ant<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[136,5],"tags":[61,189,52,192],"class_list":["post-1131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hymenoptera","category-entomology","tag-formicidae","tag-hymenoptera","tag-insects-and-mites","tag-native-ant"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5l8vQ-if","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":730,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=730","url_meta":{"origin":1131,"position":0},"title":"Ochetellus glaber (Mayr): An Ant","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"April 7, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Ochetellus glaber (Mayr): An Ant Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest\u00a0Rating: \u00a0A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: Ochetellus glaber is frequently intercepted by CDFA and presently has a temporary rating of \u201cQ\u201d.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to establish a permanent pest rating. History & Status: Background:\u00a0 Ochetellus\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5011,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=5011","url_meta":{"origin":1131,"position":1},"title":"Difficult White-Footed Ant |\u00a0Technomyrmex difficilis Forel","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"March 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00adCalifornia Pest Rating for Photo by Alexander Wild Photography. Click on image for photo citation. Difficult White-Footed Ant |\u00a0Technomyrmex difficilis Forel Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest Rating: A PEST RISK PROFILE Initiating Event: Technomyrmex difficilis is currently Q-rated.\u00a0 A permanent pest rating proposal is required to support an official pest rating. History\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"Technomyrmex difficilis","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/difficilis1-M-alexanderwildphotography.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/difficilis1-M-alexanderwildphotography.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/difficilis1-M-alexanderwildphotography.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3529,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3529","url_meta":{"origin":1131,"position":2},"title":"Flower Ant | Monomorium floricola (Jerdon)","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"March 24, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Monomorium floricola (Jerdon): Flower Ant Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest Rating: A PEST RATING PROFILE \u00a0Initiating Event: On February 21, 2017 Dr. Kevin Williams identified ants collected during inspections of beehives recently shipped into California from Florida as Q-rated Monomorium floricola.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1793,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1793","url_meta":{"origin":1131,"position":3},"title":"Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger): Little Fire Ant","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"April 12, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger): Little Fire Ant Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest Rating: A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: Wasmannia auropunctata is regularly intercepted by CDFA and is presently assigned a temporary rating of \u201cQ\u201d.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to assign a permanent pest rating. History &\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"Little Fire Ant: Eli Sarnat, PIAkey: Invasive Ants of the Pacific Islands, USDA APHIS ITP, Bugwood.org","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/littleFireAnt-5478351-WEB-byEliSarnat-PIAkey-USDA-APHIS-bugwood-226x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1698,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1698","url_meta":{"origin":1131,"position":4},"title":"Camponotus modoc Wheeler: Modoc Carpenter Ant","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"March 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Camponotus modoc Wheeler: Modoc Carpenter Ant Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest Rating: \u00a0C PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: At least one ant hobbyist is selling queen ants of Camponotus modoc in California.1\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to determine future direction on this ant. History & Status:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3223,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3223","url_meta":{"origin":1131,"position":5},"title":"Brachyponera chinensis: Asian needle ant","author":"Javaid Iqbal","date":"January 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Brachyponera chinensis: \u00a0Asian needle ant Hymenoptera: Formicidae Pest Rating: A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: Brachyponera chinensis was frequently intercepted in 2016 by CDFA and requires a pest rating proposal to support its pest rating. History & Status: Background: Brachyponera chinensis is commonly known as Asian\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1131"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1131\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10344,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1131\/revisions\/10344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}