Yong, G., Jaitrong, W., & Peeters, C. 2022 Nest structure of the bark-digging ant Rhopalomastix (Formicidae, Myrmicinae) and notes on its mutualistic associations with diaspidids in a Thai mango plantation. Asian Myrmecology 13: e013005

Keywords:

ant association

Notes: Two colonies of Rhopalomastix sp. were sampled from two cultivars of mango trees in a mango plantation in Thailand. A new species of pupillarial diaspidid, Ligaspis sp. was found in both colonies - this is the second report of a pupillarial diaspidid being associated with Rhopalomastix. We discuss the trophic relationship between ants and their diaspidid partners, and the potential impact this association has on host fruit trees.