Diversity and Distribution of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Different Parts of Wardha District, Maharashtra

Abstract

Ant diversity and species richness show considerable economic importance due to its cosmopolitan distribution. Wardha district shows the richness of ant fauna belonging to the endopterygota group.The sites covered under the study are Wardha city, Arvi, Deoli, Sewagram, Sawangi, Ashti, Pulgaon, and Talegao. The species diversity was highest in the locations situated in rural, followed by the urban habitats so the data listed here shows regional diversity and distribution in different habitats.The maximum ant population observed under six subfamilies, Formicinae, Myrmicinae, Ponerinae, Dorylinae, Dolichodorinae and Pseudomyrmicinae. An extensive list of ants found in different parts of Wardha district has been reported. The observation on the species richness of some ecologically important ants such as Camponotus, Crematogaster, Solenopsis, Pheidole, Aphaenogaster and Leptogenys in different parts have been emphasized.