Distribution Patterns of Ant Species in Shenzhen City

In order to reveal the invasive situation of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta, the distribution patterns of ant species from Shenzhen City were investigated through sampleplot method. In total, 35 ant species belonging to 18 genera, 4 subfamilies of Formicidae were identified. Among which S. invicta, Pheidole watsoni and Paratrechina longicornis were the most widely distributed ones that were found in all the 6 districts of Shenzhen City. Solenopsis invicta and Paratrechina longicornis were both distributed in 10 categories of habitats. The fire ant Solenopsis invicta could invade and successfully settle down both in mountainous area and in human communities, but it was difficult for S. invicta to invade and establish colonies in the frequently disturbed circumstance. Among the 9 categories of plant habitats surveyed in Shenzhen City, S. invicta settled down well in the stable vegetations including bush, pure forest, mixed forest, lawn, flower vegetation, and grassland, whereas it was not found in the frequently cultivated and managed habitats like orchard, flower garden, and vegetable plot.