The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, is an invasive ant species well established throughout subtropical climates in the United States. The Argentine ant disrupts natural ecosystems by displacing native ant species and associating with phloem-feeding insects, which they protect from natural enemies in exchange for honeydew excreted by the phloem-feeders. Thus, interactions between these ants and phloem-feeders can be an issue of critical importance in agroecosystems. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the presence or absence of another invasive pest, Asian Citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, adjacent habitat types, and edge complexity impact the species richness, activity, and distribution of ants including the Argentine ant within citrus groves in southern California. When ACP were present and edge complexity was higher, ant activity rates were higher, yet we observed a decline in total ant species richness. Surrounding habitat type had no effect on ant activity or total ant species richness. Understanding the spatial patterns of both the Argentine ant and ACP can aid future management practices for controlling both Argentine ants and Asian citrus psyllid populations.

阿根廷蚂蚁Linepithema humile是一种在美国整个亚热带气候中都建立良好的入侵性蚂蚁物种。阿根廷蚂蚁通过取代本地蚂蚁物种并与食虫韧皮部昆虫相关联，从而破坏自然生态系统，它们可以抵御天敌，以换取食虫韧皮部昆虫排泄的蜜露。因此，这些蚂蚁和韧皮部喂食者之间的相互作用可能是农业生态系统中至关重要的问题。在这项研究中，我们旨在确定是否存在另一种入侵性有害生物亚洲柑橘木虱（ACP），桔黄，毗邻的栖息地类型以及边缘的复杂性都会影响南加州柑橘林中蚂蚁（包括阿根廷蚂蚁）的物种丰富性，活动和分布。当存在ACP且边缘复杂性较高时，蚂蚁活动率较高，但我们观察到总蚂蚁物种丰富度下降。周围生境类型对蚂蚁活性或总蚂蚁物种丰富度没有影响。了解阿根廷蚂蚁和ACP的空间格局可有助于控制阿根廷蚂蚁和亚洲柑橘木虱种群的未来管理实践。