Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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Indoor Occurrence of the Ghost Ant Tapinoma melanocephalum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Urban Homes in Korea

  • Lee, In Yong (Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Seong Joon (Department of Ecological Assessment, Bureau of Ecological Assessment, National Institute of Ecology) ;
  • Seo, Jang Hoon (Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University) ;
  • Sim, Seobo (Department of Environmental and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University) ;
  • Kim, Jin-Hwan (MiraeES Co. Ltd) ;
  • Gwon, Young Gon (Eunonroach Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Yong, Tai-Soon (Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2017.01.03
  • Accepted : 2017.02.12
  • Published : 2017.04.30
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Abstract

The ghost ant Tapinoma melanocephalum is a common household pest worldwide. The present study examined the occurrence of the species in urban homes in Korea. During the period of September 2014 to January 2016, T. melanocephalum workers were collected from 58 homes at 29 different localities using bait traps with 10% sugar solution. The species was widely distributed throughout urban homes at 29 different localities, and the indoor occurrence of T. melanocephalum was highest in Seoul (32.7%) and metropolitan areas of Gyeonggi-do (Province) (29.3%). The indoor incidence rate of T. melanocephalum peaked in September (22.8%), remained moderate from October through April, and peaked again in May (15.7%). In contrast, a low incidence was observed from June to August (7.0%). The present study provides evidence that native ants, such as T. melanocephalum, are potential indoor pests of homes in Korea throughout the year.

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References

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