University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 13 46 2021 05 22 Ant Fauna of Fig Orchards of Estahban Area with the Report of Tapinoma Karavaievi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as a Predator of Fig Pollinator Wasps فون مورچه‌‌های باغ‌‌های انجیر استهبان (فارس) همراه با گزارش گونۀ مورچۀ (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Tapinoma karavaievi در جایگاه شکارگر زنبور گرده‌‌افشان انجیر 16 26 25570 10.22108/tbj.2020.126629.1145 EN Haniyeh Kiyani M. Sc, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Kambiz Minaei Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Hamid Zare Fig Research Station, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Estahban, Iran Journal Article 2020 12 24 Fig (Ficus carica L.) is an important agricultural product, which is consumed both fresh and dried. Fars province and Estahban county are the most important edible fig-producing areas in Iran, with more than 95% of the country’s fig orchards. The interaction between figs and their mutualisms, particularly wasps, is influenced by ants. Considering the rich fauna of ants in the fig orchards of Estahban, as well as the research indications on the direct and indirect damages created by ants, the fauna of ants in fig gardens in Estahban were studied. Eleven species in 8 genera and 3 subfamilies were recognized. The results showed that species including Cataglyphis livida, C. livida, Lepisiota dolabellae, M. caducus, M. ebeninus, P. koshewnikovi, Tapinoma karavaievi, and T. destructor were found for the first time in Fars province. Furthermore, this study revealed that Tapinoma karavaievi acted as a predator of the fig wasp and caused damages to fig orchards. This study is the first report on the possible damages of these species to the fig in the world.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_25570_e8a0fad026210cd1f33904b27ef98430.pdf