Impact of reduction mowing on fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formiciade) at Gopher tortoise (Testudines: Testudinidae) burrows

Many species prey upon the threatened gopher tortoises, including the Red Imported Fir Ants Solenopsis invicta. While human alterations to native habitat have led to a decline in gopher tortoises, “disturbance specialists” like S. invicta often thrive on such changes. This study examines three ant surveys at gopher tortoise burrows within a section of residential “greenway” in southeastern Florida before and after “reduction mowing”. While the presence of S. invicta did decrease aftrer the reduction mowing, the numbers of native ants and ant species richness in general showed a significant decline. Another invasive ant, the Little Fire Ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863), showed a significant increase after the mowing. While not as destructive as S. invicta, W.auropunctata has been documented to be a significant pest to many terrestrial vertebrates and should be considered a potential threat in future gopher tortoise and land management schemes.