Geographic distribution of Leptogenys elongata (Buckley) and Leptogenys manni Wheeler (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae)

By

Wetterer, James

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2015

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

46

Pages

127-136

Subjects

Biogeography , Exotic species , geographic range , native range

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/JHR.46.6555

 

Abstract

Leptogenys elongata and Leptogenys manni (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae), the only described Leptogenys known from the continental US, were recently included on a list of exotic ants established in North America. To evaluate this possibility, I compiled and mapped published and unpublished specimen records of L. elongata and L. manni. Leptogenys elongata records have an essentially continuous distribution through central and eastern Texas (65 counties), southern Oklahoma (one county), and western Louisiana (eight parishes), south through much of Mexico (nine states), plus one questionable record from Colorado and one almost certainly erroneous record from the District of Columbia. Leptogenys manni records are known from much of Florida (22 counties), plus one isolated record from Georgia that needs corroboration. I found no credible evidence that L. elongata or L. manni have established populations anywhere beyond their native ranges.