Mutualistic associations between aphids and aphid-attending ants registered in Serbia.

Abstract

Aphids and ants are relatively well faunistically studied in Serbia. However, there is a need to present the mutualistic associations between these two groups of insects, since there is not sufficient information on this topic for the territory under investigation. In total, 220 samples of plant-aphid-ant associations were included in this study. In 59 localities from all parts of Serbia, 32 ant taxa were registered and connected with 74 identified aphid taxa. The most frequently collected ant species found attending various aphid species were Lasius niger (L), L. alienus (Foerster) and Prenolepis nitens (Mayr). The most common aphid species was Aphis fabae Scopoli collected on 27 plant species. The trophic associations are presented as a list of ant taxa followed with aphids and their host plants.