2024년 국내 아르헨티나개미(Linepithema humile ) 모니터링 조사 = Monitoring Survey of the Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile) in South Korea in 2024

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The increase in international trade has accelerated the invasion of alien species. Invasive alien insects affect ecosystems through competition and hybridization with native species, disruption of ecological functions, structural damage to infrastructure, and the transmission of pathogens. The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), one of the world’s most successful invasive species, was first recorded in South Korea in 2019 near Busan Station. To assess the status of native ant assemblages near the initial invasion site, we surveyed ant community from April to September 2024. A total of 4,099 individuals belonging to 15 species, 14 genera, and four subfamilies were collected. Among them, Tetramorium tsushimae (48.0%) and Linepithema humile (27.0%) were the dominant species, consistently accounting for more than half of the monthly catch. Notably, Linepithema humile peaked in May, declined in June, and subsequently increased steadily toward September. These findings indicate that Linepithema humile remains widely spread around Busan Station. These findings highlight the urgent need for strengthened monitoring and integrated management strategies, including early surveillance at transport hubs, ecological studies on native ant resistance, and restoration approaches centered on resilient native species.