• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2015

In order to identify the post-fire changes of ant assemblages after a forest fire, ants were surveyed at three survey sites (artificial reforestation site, natural reforestation site, and unburned forest site) in a burned forest area for eight years from 2005 using pitfall traps. 24 species were collected, and Nylanderia flavipes was the most abundant. Ant species preferring forest habitats (e.g. Aphaenogaster japonica. Lasius spathepus, and Plagiolepis flavescens) more occurred at the unburned forest site and the natural reforestation site, whereas ant species preferring open habitat (e.g., Formica japonica, Camponotus japonicus, and Tetramorium caespitum) more occurred at the artificial reforestation site. Ordination analysis indicated that ant communities of the artificial reforestation site were more changed compared with those of the natural reforestation site after the fire. The communities of the natural reforestation site were restored to the pre-fire state in five to six years after fire, whereas those of the artificial forest site seemed to take about 25 years to restore.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.205-213
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• 2013

Forest fires disturb communities of forest-dwelling insects by killing or dispersal. Species diversity, species composition, and functional guilds of ant communities will be changed following forest fires. A survey of ants was conducted to find changes in ant communities after a large fire occurred in Goseong within Gwangwon province in South Korea in 1996. In total, 1,308 ants representing 16 species were collected; 696 ants representing 15 species were collected at the burned site, and 612 ants representing 13 species were collected at the unburned site. Contrary to the general expectation which predicts a decrease of diversity and abundance after fire, abundance, species diversity, species composition, and functional guilds of ant communities did not differ between the burned site and the unburned site. Furthermore, estimated species richness was significantly higher at the burned site than at the unburned site. However, monthly occurrences of ants (abundant species and pooled) were different between the burned site and the unburned site. Ants were more abundant at the burned sites than the unburned site just after the fire (May 1996). However, they were more abundant at the unburned site than the burned site in autumn (September and October 1996). This phenomenon might be caused by environmental change (e.g., decrease of soil moisture). In conclusion, the fire did not significantly change ant fauna, as fire in spring cannot destroy ant colonies that are wintering in deep soils.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2010

Organophosphate pesticides inhibit cholinesterase. It is likely that application of organophosphate pesticides affect behavior of arthropods. This study aimed to find changes in foraging behavior of ants due to application of fenitrothion, one of the widely used organophosphate pesticides. Foraging activity (FA) of ants was observed using bait cards in a pesticide sprayed pine stand and in an unsprayed stand before and after aerial application of fenitrothion in 2003 and 2004. Ant abundance and species richness of ants were also monitored using pitfall traps during the activity season in 2003 and 2004. There was not a significant decrease in abundance and species richness after the application of fenitrothion. However, FA of an ant, Paratrechina flavipes (Smith), which was abundant enough to be statistically compared, was depressed from 2 hours to 10 days after application of the pesticide. FA was fully recovered at day 14 in 2003, and was partially recovered at day 18 and fully at day 31 in 2004. FA of other ant species also decreased significantly during the FA depression period of P. flavipes. On the bait cards, workers of the species responded dully to baits during the FA depression period. Despite the decline in activity, alertness of P. flavipes to other species did not decrease even during the FA depression period.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.513-521
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• 2020

Launched in August, 2016, the online public benefit project ANT FOREST has planted more than one hundred million trees in desertification areas and is currently continuing on with its activities. It is a fruit of online communications network development, and the public benefit project based on this puts more emphasis on the spirits of public interest rather than the investments of public services, unlike traditional public benefit activities. Hence the purpose of this study is to figure out the interaction between the users supporting the online public benefit and the public benefit progress online. The study was divided into 4 stages in order to find out the interaction, key factors for users to continue to support online public interest. First, preceeding studies on online public benefit will be reviewed to understand the characteristics of online public benefit. Second, determine the public benefit nature of ANT FOREST and investigate the project progress. Third, review the usage rate of ANT FOREST and categorize the properties of users. Fourth, interview was conducted to direct the interaction between the online public benefit project and the user. In conclusion, the online public benefit project completes the public benefit process through the user, the operator, and the supporter, the important factor connecting the energy connecting the process in cyber space and the public benefit activity in reality is the sense of participation, and the user continues the public benefit project through this sense of participation.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2016

To search for habitat characteristics of myrmecochory Melampyrum species, diaspores and related ant species, habitat characteristics, collecting fruits and diaspores of three Melampyrum species, cafeteria experiments, and the related ant species were studied from May 2012 to November 2014. The habitat of Melampyrum species was south-facing open forest edge with slightly acidic soil and relatively shallow soiil layers. Major plants coexisting with Melampyrum species were four woody species including Quercus mongolica and four herbaceous species including Carex siderosticta. These Plants might be host plants of the Melampyrum species. The shape of the diaspore was an oval seed attached to the white cap on one side. Significant differences is proved between three plant species in weight of diaspores, seeds and and elaiosome ratios. Mean values of diaspores weight showed 10.6mg, 8.0mg and 7.2mg in M. setaceum var. nakaianum, M. roseum var. ovalifolium and M. roseum, respectively. The heaviest elaiosome is M. roseum var. ovalifolium with 1.2mg, M. setaceum var. nakaianum has 1.0mg and the lightest elaiosome is M. roseum with 0.8mg. Major ant species frequently transporting the diaspores of Melampyrum species are Myrmicinae four species; Myrmica kotokui, M. excelsa, Myrmecina nipponica and Aphaenogaster japonica. Further studies on Melampyrum species, hemiparasite annual myrmecochorous plant, and related ant species should be needed.

• Entomological Research
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.505-513
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• 2018

The red imported fire ant is considered one of the most notorious invasive species because of its adverse impact on both humans and ecosystems. Public concern regarding red imported fire ants has been increasing, as they have been found seven times in South Korea. Even if red imported fire ants are not yet colonized in South Korea, a proper quarantine plan is necessary to prevent their widespread distribution. As a basis for quarantine planning, we modeled the potential distribution of the red imported fire ant under current climate conditions using six different species distribution models (SDMs) and then selected the random forest (RF) model for modeling the potential distribution under climate change. We acquired occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and bioclimatic data from WorldClim. We modeled at the global scale to project the potential distribution under the current climate and then applied models at the local scale to project the potential distribution of the red imported fire ant under climate change. Modeled results successfully represent the current distribution of red imported fire ants. The potential distribution area for red imported fire ants increased to include major harbors and airports in South Korea under the climate change scenario (RCP 8.5). Thus, we are able to provide a potential distribution of red imported fire ant that is necessary to establish a proper quarantine plan for their management to minimize adverse impacts of climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.495-499
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• 2014

To search for myrmecochorous plant species, related ant species and diaspore selecting behaviour, collecting fruits and diaspores of four Corydalis species, cafeteria experiments, and the related ant species were studied from May 2013 to July 2014. Four Corydalis species recording in Korea were proved myrmecochorous (seed attached elaiosome) plants newly. Elaiosome shape of these species is spatulate-shaped, but their size is varied considerably in length and width. Significant differences is proved between four plant species in weight of diaspores, seeds and elaiosomes, and elaiosome ratios. Mean values of diaspores weight showed 4.08 mg, 2.56 mg, 2.49 mg and 2.06 mg in Corydalis grandicalyx, C. remota, C. turtschaninovii for. pectinata and C. turtschaninovii var. linearis, respectively. Mean values of seed weights showed 3.68 mg, 2.03 mg, 1.90 mg and 1.67 mg in Corydalis grandicalyx, C. remota, C. turtschaninovii for. pectinata and C. turtschaninovii var. linearis, respectively. Elaiosome ratio of C. turtschaninovii var. linearis was the highest, followed by C. remota, C. turtschaninovii for. pectinata and C. grandicalyx. Ant's preference for the diaspores is ordered as same as elaiosome ratio's order. Major ant species transporting the diaspores of Corydalis species are Formica japonica, Lasius alienus, Lasius japonicus and Tetramorium tsushimae. Formica japonica transports the diaspores most frequently. Ant's preference for the diaspores among plant species or individuals might be influenced on the survival rates of concerned species. Further studies on the myrmecochorous plant and related ant species, cafeteria experiments should be needed.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.71-72
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• 2020

The invasive Argentian ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae) was discovered in Korea. Diagnostic characteristics, distribution range, and potential as a pest are discussed.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.79-81
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• 2020

The species, Discothyrea sauteri Forel, 1912 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Proceratiinae), was documented for the first time in Korea. In this study, the morphological characteristics, representative images of this species, and a taxonomic key of the genera of the Korean Proceratiinae are provided.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.437-438
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• 2017

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) was discovered in Busan sea port, Korea. Only one colony was found and then removed rapidly by Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.