Studies on the environmental implications of ants (Hymenoptera: formicidae) associated with two synanthropic environments in Awka, Nigeria

A study of ants associated with two synanthropic environments in Awka was carried out in 2008 using pitfall and bait traps. The study yielded a total of 561 ants with 409 obtained from the hemisynanthrophic environment while 192 ants were collected from the endophilic environment. The percentage occurrence, total distribution and average numbers of trapped individual species of Paratrechina, Acantholepis, Pheidole and Camponotus in the hemisynanthrophic environment are (16.9%, 2,6), (35.3%, 150, 12.5), (40.1%, 170, 14.2) and (7.6%, 23, 2.7) respectively. The percentage occurrence, total ant distribution and average number of trapped species of Acantholepis and Pheidole sp. using honey as bait are (47.19%, 49, 2.3) and (52.9%, 55, 13.8) respectively whereas Paratrechina, Acantholepis and Pheidole sp. shows (43.8%, 21.5, 3), (31.40%, 15, 3.8) and (25%, 12, 3) respectively when sugar was used as bait. The study further reveals different dispersion patterns and degree of variability between species in the hemisynanthrophic environment. Pheidole sp. and Acantholepis were also trapped in high numbers. The paucity in the collection of Paratrechina and Camponotus is possibly suggestive that these species are not attracted to honey baits. The attraction of more Paratrechina species to sugar bait indicated that these species are sugar loving ants.