Prolasius advenus

Prolasius advenus
Prolasius advenus worker
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Genus: Prolasius
Species:
P. advenus
Binomial name
Prolasius advenus
(Smith, F., 1862)

Prolasius advenus is a species of ant in the genus Prolasius.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand, widespread across the North and South Islands, including offshore islands.[2] It is a relatively small ant, with workers 2.9-3.5mm in length. Its common name is small brown bush ant.

Biology

Colonies can include hundreds of workers and multiple queens. Prolasius advenus is found in a variety of forest habitats. It is a generalist forager, preying upon and scavenging small arthropods, as well as tending mealy-bugs and scale insects for honeydew.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Prolasius advenus are endemic to New Zealand, where they are widespread throughout the North Island, the South Island and Stewart Island.[3] They are also known to occur on offshore islands including Three Kings Islands.[4][3]

They are known to occur in habitats such as beech, mixed podocarp and podocarp forests, but can also sometimes be found in open habitat such as tussock (but usually in the vicinity of forest edges). They are known to occur from sea level up to at least 1200m in altitude.[3]

References

  1. ^ Bolton, B. (2015). "Prolasius advenus". AntCat. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Prolasius advenus | Ant factsheets | Landcare Research". www.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  3. ^ a b c Don, W (2007). Ants of New Zealand. Otago University Press. pp. 180–184. ISBN 9781877372476.
  4. ^ Taylor, R W (1962). "The ants of the Three Kings Islands". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 5: 253.


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