Invasive Northern red oaks benefit temnothorax crassispinus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) ant colonies

2018

Non-native plant species can modify their environment, and their influence on food chains is well recognized. How ever, the phenomenon of non-nutrient dependent interaction between non-native plants and native animals has received little attention to date. The Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is a non-native, invasive tree species in Europe, which strongly negatively influences co-occurring plants. However, a part of the native fauna is able to utilize the resources offered by this species in its non-native range. We studied a common species of wood ant, Temnothorax crassispinus, in forests under canopies of non-native Northern Red Oak and native oaks, Pedunculate Oak (Q. robur), and Sessil…