Preliminary Record on Ants of the Genus Camponotus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Camponotus Ants from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Ants are one of the most ubiquitous and ecologically significant insects. Camponotus ants, commonly known as carpenter ants, are a diverse genus of ants found worldwide. Studying the Camponotus ants’ biodiversity not only provides valuable insights into the evolutionary processes that have shaped these species, but also offers a window into broader ecological and biological principles. Sampling of Camponotus worker caste was conducted using multiple techniques like pitfall traps, oral aspirator and handpicks across indoor and outdoor sites in Peshawar and Khyber District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Ants were initially preserved in 90% alcohol in Eppendorf tubes. The preserved specimens were then transported to the Vector Biology and Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Zoological Sciences, University of Peshawar, where they were mounted following the procedure outlined by Bolton (1994). All collected ants were identified using Olympus SD30 stereo microscope and taxonomic keys by Bolton (1994), Bingham (1903), Bharti and Wachkoo (2014), and Shahjeer et al. (2021). They were further verified by comparing images with online resources. Species richness and diversity was statistically analyzed by Margalef and Simpson diversity index. The current study documented eight species and one subspecies of the genus Camponotus from Pakistan, including C. compressus, C. oblongus, C. sylvaticus basalis, C. sericeus, C. invidus, C. parius, C. mitis, C. irritans and the subspecies C. irritans pallidus, thus increasing the Camponotus fauna of Pakistan to 15 species and 2 subspecies. Notably, two species i.e., C. irritans, C. mitis and one subspecies i.e., C. irritans pallidus, are reported for the first time from Pakistan. District Peshawar was observed more diverse and species rich as compared to district Khyber. This baseline study establishes new records for Pakistan, opening avenues for further exploration of its hidden ant diversity.