{"id":730,"date":"2015-04-07T13:12:22","date_gmt":"2015-04-07T20:12:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=730"},"modified":"2022-05-16T09:37:13","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:37:13","slug":"ochetellus-glaber-mayr-an-ant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=730","title":{"rendered":"Ochetellus glaber (Mayr): An Ant"},"content":{"rendered":"
California Pest Rating for<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Ochetellus glaber<\/em><\/strong> (Mayr): An Ant<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Hymenoptera: Formicidae<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Pest\u00a0Rating: \u00a0A<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\n
PEST RATING PROFILE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Initiating Event: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

Ochetellus glaber<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

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

Background<\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0 Ochetellus glaber<\/em> is a species of ant that is adapted for living around the interface of open and scrub habitat1<\/sup>.\u00a0 It often nests arboreally, under stones, or in dry fallen logs1<\/sup>.\u00a0 The ants are generalist foragers that may feed on honeydew, insects, or worms.\u00a0 They sometimes forage in houses for fluids or sweets but are not considered a major house pest1<\/sup>.\u00a0 Colonies have multiple queens and colonies may reproduce by budding when a queen and some workers move to a new area.\u00a0 This allows the ants to be transported long distances when nests or queens are moved as contaminating pests in commerce.<\/p>\n

Worldwide Distribution<\/strong><\/span>: Ochetellus glaber<\/em> is probably native to Australia.\u00a0 It was first found in New Zealand in 19271<\/sup> and Hawaii in 19772<\/sup>.\u00a0 It has also invaded Japan and parts of Asia.\u00a0 It recently spread to Florida3<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Official Control<\/strong><\/span>: Ochetellus glaber<\/em> is not known to be under official control in any other states or nations4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

California Distribution<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Ochetellus glaber<\/em> has never been found in the environment of California.<\/p>\n

California Interceptions<\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0 Between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2014 Ochetellus glaber<\/em> was intercepted 199 times by CDFA\u2019s high risk programs and dog teams.\u00a0 These interceptions have been on nursery stock and fresh plant parts from Hawaii.\u00a0 The ant was also intercepted once at a border station on beehives from Florida.<\/p>\n

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

\u00a0Consequences of Introduction:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1) Climate\/Host Interaction<\/strong>: Ochetellus glaber<\/em> is found in regions with similar climates to California. The ant can be expected to establish a widespread distribution in the state and receives a High (3)<\/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.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.
\n– High (3)<\/strong> likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Known Pest Host Range<\/strong>: Ochetellus glaber<\/em> is a generalist forager that can feed on a wide variety of sources.\u00a0 It receives a High (3)<\/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.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> has a moderate host range.
\n– High (3)<\/strong> has a wide host range.<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Pest Dispersal Potential<\/strong>: Ants are capable of rapid reproduction and can disperse long distances when colonies or queens are moved.\u00a0 Ochetellus glaber<\/em> receives a High (3)<\/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.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.
\n– High (3)<\/strong> has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a04)\u00a0Economic Impact<\/strong>: Ochetellus glaber<\/em> is not expected to lower crop yields or increase crop production costs.\u00a0 It is not expected to disrupt any markets for Californian agricultural commodities.\u00a0 It is not expected to change cultural practices or vector other pestiferous organisms.\u00a0 Ochetellus glaber<\/em> is known to tend honeydew producing insects and may consume parasitoids, disrupting biological control of pests such as pink hibiscus mealybug5<\/sup>.\u00a0 The ants are not expected to interfere with water supplies.\u00a0 Ochetellus glaber<\/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.
\nB. The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).
\nC. The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).
\nD. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.
\nE. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.
\nF<\/strong>. The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.<\/span>
\nG. The 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>
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes 2 of these impacts.
\n– High (3)<\/strong> causes 3 or more of these impacts.<\/p>\n

5) Environmental Impact:<\/strong> Invasive ants such as Ochetellus glaber<\/em> may cause slow, long-term ecological changes that have potential to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes.\u00a0 They may also trigger new private treatment programs by residents who find infestations unacceptable and in the nursery industry.\u00a0 Ochetellus glaber<\/em> receives a High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

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

A<\/strong>. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.<\/span>
\nB. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.
\nC. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.
\nD<\/strong>. The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.<\/span>
\nE. The 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.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes one of the above to occur.
\n– High (3)<\/strong> causes two or more of the above to occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction to California for Ochetellus glaber:<\/em><\/strong> High (13)<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

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

–Low<\/strong> = 5-8 points
\n–Medium<\/strong> = 9-12 points
\n–High<\/strong> = 13-15 points<\/span><\/p>\n

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information:<\/strong> Ochetellus glaber<\/em> has never been found in California and receives a Not established (0)<\/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.<\/span>
\n–Low (-1)<\/strong> Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate\/host area (region).
\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.
\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.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Final Score:<\/h5>\n

The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: High (13)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Uncertainty: \u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Invasive ants such as argentine ant (Linepithema humile<\/em>) are already widespread in California and occupy many of the niches that Ochetellus glaber<\/em> might be expected to colonize.\u00a0 It is possible that competition from argentine ant may help preclude establishment of other invasive species such as Ochetellus glaber<\/em>.\u00a0 There is some evidence that Ochetellus glaber<\/em> is a species complex and should be considered two or more distinct species6<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

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

Ochetellus glaber<\/em> has never been found in California and is expected to have limited economic and significant environmental impacts if it were to establish here.\u00a0 An \u201cA\u201d rating is justified.<\/p>\n

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

1<\/sup> Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua. Ochetellus glaber fact sheet.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.landcareresearch.co.nz\/publications\/factsheets\/Factsheets\/ochetellus-glaber<\/a><\/p>\n

2 <\/sup>Kirschenbaum, Ranit and J. Kenneth Grace. 2008. Agonistic Interactions Among Invasive Ant Species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Two Habitats on Oahu, Hawaii.\u00a0 Sociobiology 51(3): 543-553.\u00a0 http:\/\/manoa.hawaii.edu\/ctahr\/termite\/aboutcontact\/grace\/pdfs\/241.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

3<\/sup> Deyrup, M. 2003. An updated list of Florida ants (Hymeoptera: Formicidae). Florida Entomologist 86:43-48.\u00a0 http:\/\/antkey.org\/content\/updated-list-florida-ants-hymenoptera-formicidae<\/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

5<\/sup> Gonz\u00e1lez-Hern\u00e1ndez, H\u00e9ctor, Neil J. Reimer, and Marshall W. Johnson. 1999. Survey of the natural enemies of Dysmicoccus<\/em> mealybugs on pineapple in Hawaii.\u00a0 BioControl 44: 47-58.\u00a0 http:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1023\/A:1009954625169#page-2<\/a><\/p>\n

6 <\/sup>Hoffman, Benjamin D., Alan N. Andersen, and Xiang Zhang. 2011. Taxonomic confusion of two tramp ant species: Iridomyrmex anceps<\/em> and Ochetellus glaber<\/em> are really species complexes. Current Zoology.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.actazool.org\/site_media\/onlinefirst\/downloadable_file\/2011\/06\/30\/11.1_incomplete_taxonomy_hinders_invasion_research.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Responsible Party:<\/h5>\n

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

\n

Pest\u00a0Rating: \u00a0A<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

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

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 glaber is a species of … Continue reading Ochetellus glaber (Mayr): An Ant<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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}},"categories":[136,5],"tags":[137,61,189,52,138],"class_list":["post-730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hymenoptera","category-entomology","tag-an-ant","tag-formicidae","tag-hymenoptera","tag-insects-and-mites","tag-ochetellus-glaber"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5l8vQ-bM","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5011,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=5011","url_meta":{"origin":730,"position":0},"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. 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