«There are dozens of native ant species in the preserve that provide valuable ecosystem services like decomposition and pest control,» said Solomon, an ant expert, co-principal investigator on the grant and associate teaching professor of biosciences. (sciencedaily.com)
At the same time, the number of native ant species dropped from 18 to none in most cases. (sciencemag.org)
They also pose natural and economic threats, competing with native ants and pollinators, and protecting plant pests such as aphids and scales in return for the sweet honeydew secretions that these insects produce. (sciencedaily.com)