Biodiversity and Community Structure of Arboreal Foraging Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea) and Host Plants in Douala, Littoral-Cameroon

Abstract

Aims: Mealybugs are protected on plants by ants for honeydew. They were identified and assemblages were characterized in Douala suburbs (Littoral-Cameroon). Study Design: Basic information is needed on pest’s occurrence for the pest control strategies. We determined host plants and characterized the community structure of mealybugs and foraging ants. Place and Duration of Study: Field investigations were conducted from March to August 2020 in Douala suburbs in 16 transects (10x1,260 m each) and 126 quadrats (10x10m each). Methodology: Stems, the underside of leaves, flower buds and fruits were inspected on weeds, plant bases and canopy of trees. Mealybugs and ants were captured. When the plant was highly infested, the average number of insects was determined on 10 randomly chosen plant organs. Abundances were noted and captured specimens were stored in vials containing 70° alcohol, identified to the species level and the community structure was characterized. Results: A total of 24,640 specimens belonged to 23 families, 54 genera and 85 species were collected in this research. A low species richness, low diversity and low dominance were detected. Assemblage of foraging ants in Yassa functioned according to the brokend-stick model. Scale insects in Ngoma functioned according to Motomura’s model. Assemblages of host plants in Lendi, Yassa, global host plants, global scale insects, foraging ants in Lendi and the global settlement, functioned according to the lognormal model. Host plants in Ngoma, scale insects in Yassa, and foraging ants in Ngoma functioned according to Zipf’s model while Zipf-Mandelbrot was adapted to scale insects in Lendi suggesting that these communities had sufficient time to develop a complex network of information close to natural environments and presented a fairly regeneration force. Conclusion: Due to the abundance pest insects, resources are available and once they will be well developed; they will cause plant pathologies and yield loss.