Las plataformas de ciencia ciudadana han facilitado rápidamente la recopilación de datos sobre biodiversidad, pero su integración en la investigación científica sigue siendo limitada. Las hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), un grupo taxonómico ecológicamente dominante y distribuido a nivel mundial, son un caso de estudio ideal para examinar esta brecha; sin embargo, presentan desafíos particulares para la identificación basada en fotografías, debido a su pequeño tamaño, similitud morfológica dentro de género (especialmente en las áreas tropicales) y el uso diferencial de las plataformas a nivel geográfico (dado por las diferencias culturales y de lenguaje). Entre las plataformas de ciencia ciudadana disponibles, iNaturalist destaca por su alcance global y alberga actualmente más de 1,5 millones de observaciones clasificadas dentro de Formicidae, ofreciendo oportunidades sin precedentes para estudios ecológicos, biogeográficos y taxonómicos. Este trabajo presenta la primera revisión sistemática sobre el uso de datos de iNaturalist en investigaciones sobre hormigas. Se identificaron un total de 34 estudios publicados entre 2017 y agosto de 2025, con un incremento sostenido de publicaciones que alcanzó su máximo en 2024. Casi la mitad (41,2%) fueron elaborados por un mismo investigador, reflejando la limitada autoría del campo. La mayoría de los estudios se restringieron geográficamente a las regiones Neártica y Paleártica y se centraron en una o pocas especies, basándose con frecuencia en conjuntos de datos muy reducidos. La distribución y el rango de las especies representaron el 97,1% de los temas de investigación, mientras que las aplicaciones en evaluación de la biodiversidad, interacciones ecológicas o taxonomía fueron escasas. Los datos de iNaturalist se emplearon generalmente como fuente secundaria o complementaria, con ausencia de trazabilidad de los mismos en el 50% de los artículos y verificación explícita de las identificaciones en solo el 35,3%. Entre las limitaciones más frecuentes de este tipo de datos de ciencia ciudadana destacan posibles errores de identificación, calidad de datos heterogénea y marcados sesgos taxonómicos y geográficos hacia espe
[Primera cita de la hormiga loca, Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), en Extremadura (España)]
J. Manuel Vidal-Cordero
We report the first record of the exotic ant Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802) in Extremadura (Spain). The finding occurred in September 2024 in Plaza de España, Mérida (Badajoz), where 37 foraging workers were collected. Identification was based on morphological traits examined under a stereomicroscope. This record, the most inland in Spain to date, highlights the species’ dispersal capacity facilitated by human activities. As P. longicornis is included in the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species, this finding underlines the importance of monitoring inland areas to anticipate potential impacts on biodiversity and urban environments.
[Expansión de la hormiga exótica Brachymyrmex patagonicus Mayr, 1868 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) en la península ibérica: ya está en Madrid]
Amonio David Cuesta-Segura, Javier Díaz Alegre, Fede García
In April 2025, small, abundant ants were detected in a home in Tres Cantos (Madrid). The authors identified them as Brachymyrmex patagonicus, marking the first record for the central Iberian Peninsula and Madrid. A web search revealed new records for the provinces of Almería, Granada, and Málaga, where they were already known, thus updating the Iberian map for the species.
[Primeras citas de las hormigas no nativas Monomorium carbonarium (Smith, 1858) y Cardiocondyla mauritanica Forel, 1890 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) en Madrid, España, con una actualización de la presencia de Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) en la ciudad]
Diego López-Collar, Pietro Agostini, Francisco J. Cabrero-Sañudo
Los entornos urbanos suelen actuar como puntos de entrada para la introducción de hormigas alóctonas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) a nivel mundial. En esta nota se reportan por primera vez registros de Monomorium carbonarium (Smith, 1858) y Cardiocondyla mauritanica Forel, 1890 en el área urbana de Madrid (España), junto con nuevos registros actualizados de Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868). Las detecciones se asocian principalmente a espacios verdes irrigados —como parques públicos, jardines privados, huertos urbanos y medianas ajardinadas— que proporcionan microhábitats favorables para el establecimiento. Los resultados confirman el establecimiento de M. carbonarium y C. mauritanica en la ciudad, ampliando su distribución ibérica más allá de las zonas predominantemente costeras hacia el interior peninsular. Los nuevos registros de L. humile evidencian su persistencia y distribución heterogénea en Madrid. En conjunto, estos resultados ponen de relieve el papel de las áreas urbanas como puntos clave para la introducción y persistencia de especies de hormigas alóctonas, destacando su importancia a la hora de facilitar la expansión de taxones termófilos hacia territorios de interior. Así mismo, ponemos de manifiesto la importancia de mantener programas de seguimiento continuado que integren datos de ciencia ciudadana como un valioso complemento a los muestreos profesionales.
[Distribución global de la pequeña hormiga de fuego Wasmannia auropunctata: primera aproximación a partir de la ciencia ciudadana]
Javier Arcos, Fikret Arda Düzgünses, Juan Pascual-Gil
La pequeña hormiga de fuego Wasmannia auropunctata se encuentra entre las especies foráneas más dañinas del mundo, con impactos ecológicos, agrícolas y socioeconómicos muy significativos. Originaria del Neotrópico, su distribución se ha expandido globalmente mediante el transporte humano, y recientemente establecida en el sur de Europa. El objetivo de este trabajo es actualizar la distribución global de W. auropunctata mediante la integración de observaciones validadas de ciencia ciudadana con registros bibliográficos. Para ello, utilizamos las observaciones disponibles en la plataforma online iNaturalist, puesto que ésta proporciona un conjunto de datos amplio, georreferenciado y de acceso público, con registros aportados por ciudadanos de todo el mundo. De 1.548 observaciones iniciales, se excluyeron aquellas con baja precisión espacial, en condiciones de cautividad, con restricciones de derechos de autor o procedentes de áreas nativas, quedando 703 registros para revisión. Cada registro fue evaluado de forma independiente por tres revisores en cuanto a la exactitud de la identificación, la calidad fotográfica, el entorno y las castas visibles. Paralelamente, incorporamos un conjunto de datos actualizado de registros bibliográficos y especímenes de museos, que incluye 17,637 ocurrencias con coordenadas geográficas. Tras el filtrado, se validaron 461 observaciones de iNaturalist (65,7%) como potencialmente correspondientes a W. auropunctata, siendo la mayoría obreras. La tasa de validación fue mucho mayor en los registros de “Research Grade” (=70%) que en las observaciones clasificadas como “Needs ID” (=36%), lo que demuestra que el filtro interno de calidad de
[Dos nuevas citas de Cryptopone ochracea (Mayr, 1855) en la Península ibérica (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)]
Roger Vila, X. Espadaler
Two new records for this species are presented. Its Ibero-Balearic distribution and the available dates of the presence of winged queens and a male, between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, are updated.
This study reports a rare case of unilateral ocular duplication with hypoplasia in the ant Pheidole pallidula (Nylander, 1849), discovered in Córdoba, Spain. The affected soldier ant exhibited two malformed right V[…] i>V Ã[…] and with fewer ommatidia compared to a normal eye. Although visual defects might hinder depth perception and light sensitivity, P. pallidula likely compensates them with other sensory modalities, allowing its complete functional integration into the colony. Potential causes, including genetic mutations, embryonic errors, or environmental stressors, are discussed. This case highlights the adaptive plasticity of eusocial insects in tolerating physical abnormalities and underscores the importance of further studies to explore their ecological and developmental implications.
Ant-loving crickets are kleptoparasites living in ant nests. This work aims to sum up the current knowledge on the known distribution and host ant preferences of three Myrmecophilus crickets found in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands: M. ochraceus, M. fuscus and M. acervorum. Older literature was carefully reviewed, while recent literature, particularly after the description of M. fuscus, was prioritized to minimize the use of outdated information and reduce the risk of misidentifications. The study underscores the need for re-identification of old specimens and their hosts in light of recent discoveries, providing a review of the current understanding of the myrmecophilous crickets.
[Explotación oportunista del néctar regurgitado de una abeja (Rhodanthidium sticticum (Fabricius, 1787) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)) como recurso alimentario por Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille, 1798) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)]
Joan Díaz Calafat
Opportunistic exploitation of a male Rhodanthidium sticticum (Fabricius, 1787) regur- gitated nectar as food resource by a worker of Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille, 1798) is reported. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first time that an exploitation of such re- source is described. It is discussed whether this is just a random event or part of the ant associative learning triggered by repeated conditioning through the territorial behaviour of the bee.
[Lepisiota melas (Emery), una hormiga exótica más para la Península ibérica y dos adiciones a las hormigas de cataluña (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)]
X. Espadaler, Carlos Pradera, Roger Vila
The presence of Lepisiota melas (Emery, 1915), new to the Iberian Peninsula, in the facilities of the port of Barcelona is documented. The population is well established and coexists with at least seven species of native ants and one exotic. Two other species of ants are also added, one exotic (Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802)) and another native (Goniomma decipiens Espadaler, 1997) to the check-list of ants known in Catalonia.
[Primer listado de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de la provincia de Cuenca]
Aitor Alameda-Martín, J.A. Fernández-Martínez, Francisco Cuquerella Elorza
In this article, we present the first list of ant species in Cuenca Province, which currently has 75 species, divided into 22 genera and 3 subfamilies. The list has been compiled with an exhaustive bibliographic review and completed with 13 isolated records from sam- plings in Belinchón, Priego, Masegosa, Fuertescusa y Carrascosa de la Sierra.
Myrmecina graminicola (Latreille, 1802) is an endogeous species from the Western Palaearctic. In the Iberian Peninsula is widely distributed, specially in the northern forests. The Iberian samples fit perfectly into the accepted conception of the species. Larvae mor- phology is described in detail.
[Formica picea Nylander, 1846 en la Península ibérica: estudio biométrico, nuevas citas y distribución]
Fede García, Amonio David Cuesta-Segura, X. Espadaler
Formica picea Nylander, 1846 is a specialist ant of wet places. In the Iberian Peninsula, is known from few localities in the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains. We compile the few previous records and provide new locations for the species in Girona, León and Lleida provinces. The identification of Iberian samples as F. picea based on their biometry and other characteristics, as well as their distinction from the most similar species of the genus, is discussed.
[Ampliación de la distribución de Dolichoderus quadripunctatus (Linnaeus, 1771) (Formicidae, Dolichoderinae) en la Península ibérica]
D. Cabanillas, A. J. Narro-Martín, J.A. Fernández-Martínez
The first records of Dolichoderus quadripunctatus (Linnaeus, 1771) in Guadalajara, Orense, Pontevedra and Segovia are presented and the habitat and the current distribu- tion of D. quadripunctatus in Spain and Portugal are discussed.
Technomyrmex vexatus Santschi, 1919 is recorded for the first time in mainland Spain, from Tarifa in the province of Cádiz. The species was found during a Bioblitz within the Parque Natural del Estrecho. T. vexatus was previously known only from Gibraltar, North- ern Morocco and Ceuta (Spain).
The Iberian bibliographical records for the temporary social parasite L. carniolicus are gathered. Seven new localities are added, including the first records for the provinces of Girona, Guadalajara and Navarra. The distribution and habitat for this species is comment- ed, seeming to have a wide ecological valence. The Lasius species present in the same localities than L. carniolicus are listed, since they could be the hosts.
[El género Ponera Latreille, 1804 en la Península ibérica: identificación biométrica y distribución.]
Fede García
Iberian samples of Ponera coarctata (Latreille, 1802) and Ponera testacea Emery, 1895 have been identified through the discriminant functions proposed by previous authors. A compilation of bibliographical records are shown in maps. Some significant features for the identification of both Iberian species are commented.
X. Espadaler, Carlos Pradera, Juan Antonio Santana
An established and spreading, outdoor population of the little fire ant, Wasmannia au ropunctata (Roger, 1863), is documented for the southern Spanish Mediterranean coast. This is the first continental European outdoor nesting population. Polygyny and sexual production were ascertained. The infested area, in a suburb of Marbella (Málaga) is 5.8 ha in extension and 1.2 km perimeter.
[Pandora formicae (Humber y Bałazy) Humber 1989 (Entomophthoromycota: Entomophthorales) en la península ibérica, con Formica pressilabris Nylander, 1846 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) como nuevo hospedante]
Fede García, X. Espadaler
The ant-specific, entomopathogenic fungus Pandora formicae is documented for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula. Hosts species were Formica exsecta and Formica pres silabris, this last one being a new host for the parasite. Prevalence of infested nests (73%) attained a very high level as compared with the scarce published data.
[Primera cita ibérica para Temnothorax conatensis Galkowski & Lebas, 2016, y actualización de la distribución para Temnothorax grouvellei (Bondroit, 1918) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)]
X. Espadaler, Amonio David Cuesta-Segura, Fede García
[Temnothorax ibericus Menozzi (1922), un endemismo ibérico orófilo (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)]
X. Espadaler, Fede García
Temnothorax ibericus Menozzi is an Iberian endemic species. The scarce published data are updated with several new localities, showing it has an orophilous distribution. New phenology and nesting data are contributed too. The previously unknown queen is described.
[Una nueva especie parásita social para la península ibérica. Bothriomyrmex communista Santschi, 1919 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) en España.]
Fede García, X. Espadaler
Bothriomyrmex communista, a temporary social parasite species, is added to the check- list of ants known for Spain and Iberian peninsula. The peculiar taxonomical and nomencla tural situation of the specific name Bothriomyrmex rogeri Emery, 1924 is also commented.
[Nuevas citas del género Chalepoxenus Menozzi, 1923 y actualización de su distribución y hospedadores para la península ibérica (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)]
Fede García, Amonio David Cuesta-Segura, X. Espadaler
The genus Chalepoxenus is represented in the Iberian peninsula by two species for which we update their distribution maps. We present the first records of Chalepoxenus kutteri for the provinces of Albacete, León, Lleida and Teruel and Chalepoxenus muellerianus for the autonomous community of Galicia and the provinces of Guadalajara, León, Lugo, Soria y Zaragoza. Temnothorax pardoi and Temnothorax grouvellei for C. kutteri and T. grouvellei for C. muellerianus are registered as new hosts worldwide.
[Hormigas de los brezales de Calluna cantábricos (no España) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)]
Amonio David Cuesta-Segura, X. Espadaler, Fede García
The heathlands dominated by Calluna vulgaris are a European habitat increasingly scarce, but interesting in terms of biodiversity. Between 2004 and 2007 samplings were carried out with pitfall traps and beating in four areas of the Cantabrian mountain range with Calluna-heathlands and in 2008 direct samplings were made. In 2004, the ants rep- resented 10.6% of the total arthropods captured in pitfall traps. For the set of all samples, 30 species of ants were found, which makes the Cantabrian heaths the most diverse for this group. The community was dominated by the species of the genera Formica (7 species), Lasius (9) and Myrmica (8). It is necessary to emphasize the presence in these heathlands of: Lasius jensi and Teleutomyrmex schneideri (both were first Iberian records); and Myrmica xavieri and Tetramorium alpestre (with little known distribution for being of recent description).
[Brachymyrmex patagonicus Mayr, 1868 y Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius, 1793), dos nuevas adiciones a las hormigas exóticas en España]
X. Espadaler, Carlos Pradera
Two exotic ant species have been documented in two Iberian coastal cities: Brachymyr- mex patagonicus in Almería, and Pheidole megacephala, in Barcelona. This second spe- cies occupies an area containing several blocks of houses. Keywords Ants, Brachymyrmex, exotics, iberian peninsula, Pheidole.
[Hormigas del Parque Natural de Serra Gelada y citas interesantes para la mirmecofauna alicantina (Hymenoptera Formicidae)]
Guillermo Albert, Javier Arcos
The presence of 17 ant species is documented in Serra Gelada Natural Park (Alicante, Spain) after two samplings conducted at the area. Additionally, four species are recorded for the first time in Alicante, one of them representing the second record in the iberian peninsula.
[Cardiocondyla obscurior Wheeler, 1929 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) en España]
Fede García, X. Espadaler
The exotic ant species Cardiocondyla obscurior is added to the checklist of ants known for Spain. Workers, a wingless queen and a winged male, were captured within the university campus at Burjassot (Valencia).
Vera Zina, Fede García, Carlos Valente, Manuela Branco, José Carlos Franco
The presence of ants in forest ecosystems is influenced by the available food resources and the interactions that they establish with other arthropods (e.g., predation, mutualism). The economic importance of eucalypts in Portugal and the exponential introduction of exotic insect pests, namely honeydew-producing hemipteran species, justify the need to clarify the role of ants in this ecosystem. In this paper, we present the results of a meta-analysis based on surveys carried out between 1990 and 2015 in 68 Eucalyptus plantations, distributed among the districts of Aveiro, Lisbon, Portalegre, Évora, Beja and Faro. Samples were collected based on visual observation and pitfall traps. In total, 541 specimens were identified, including 25 species, raising to 44 the number of ant species found in Eucalyptus spp. in Portugal, which corresponds to ca. 30% of total number of ant species reported for Portugal. Keywords: Ants, Eucalyptus, interactions, survey, honeydew Resumo A presença das formigas nos ecossistemas florestais é influenciada pelos recursos alimentares disponíveis e pelas interações que estas estabelecem com outros artrópodes (e.g., predação, mutualismo). A importância económica do eucalipto em Portugal e o crescimento exponencial do número de espécies exóticas de insetos, em particular hemípteros excretores de melada, justificam a necessidade de se esclarecer o papel das formigas neste ecossistema. Neste trabalho, apresentam- se os resultados de uma meta-análise feita com base em prospeções realizadas, entre 1990 e 2015, em 68 parcelas de Eucalyptus, distribuídas pelos distritos de Aveiro, Lisboa, Portalegre, Évora, Beja e Faro. As amostragens foram feitas através de observação visual e armadilhas pitfall. No total, foram identificados 541 exemplares, compreendendo 25 espécies, elevando para 44 o número de espécies de formigas referenciadas em eucaliptais, no país, o que corresponde a cerca de 30% do número total de espécies assinaladas para Portugal. Palavras-chave: Eucalyptus, formigas, interações, inventário, melada
Lepisiota capensis is documented for the Canary Islands, as an exotic ant to be added to the fifteen exotic ant species –and ant genus as well– already known in those islands. Its arrival is likely to be recent. The presence of this species in a natural zone calls for a dedicated survey and monitoring of the population, to be followed by an eradication attempt. Keywords: alien species; ant; Lepisiota, Canary Islands.
[Nuevas citas de Temnothorax cristinae (Espadaler, 1997) para el sureste de la península ibérica y ampliación de su descripción]
Javier Arcos, X. Espadaler, Chema Catarineu
The first records of Temnothorax cristinae (Espadaler, 1997) are given since its original description, appearing in samplings carried out in Murcia and Alicante (Spain) between 2010 and 2012. Its taxonomic description is extended for the worker and queen castes, remarking the characters which separate it from its closest species, Temnothorax specularis (Emery, 1916). Keywords: Temnothorax cristinae, new records, Iberian Peninsula.
We asked in this work about the ant species that inhabit pine forests, the riparian vegetation zones and the surrounding matrix (arable land, grazing areas) of “Tierra de Pinares” on the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula as potential sources of recolonization of logged sites. A total of 38 ant species were collected in the study. 31 ant species were detected in the pine forests, 17 along the Adaja River, and 22 species in the surrounding sample matrix sites. The process of colonization of cleared areas of the pine forest seems to depend basically on the ant species of the pine forest itself. The ant assemblages of riparian vegetation and cereal steppes surrounding pine forests are closer among them than to the ant assemblages of the pine forest. Keywords: ants, logging, Iberian Peninsula, Tierra de Pinares.
[Nuevos casos de cisticercoides de tenias (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Dilepididae) en hormigas (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)]
X. Espadaler, Xavier Roig, Fede García
Two new instances of ants (Temnothorax nylanderi and Temnothorax unifasciatus), infected with immature stages of tapeworm (cysticercoids) in Spain, are reported.
[Transporte de alimentos líquidos mediante objetos sólidos en Messor barbarus (Linnaeus, 1767), y reconsideración del denominado “comportamiento de uso de instrumentos” en las hormigas]
José María Gómez Durán
A few ant species belonging to three genera of the subfamily Myrmicinae (Aphaenogaster, Pogonomyrmex and Solenopsis) cover the liquid or viscous foods with diverse solid items which they later extract imbibed or soaked for carrying them to the nest. We describe this behavior for the first time in the genus Messor Forel, 1890, and, through the analysis of the phases and features of the whole process, we conclude that it must not be regarded as tool use behavior. Keywords: Messor barbarus, liquid food transport, behavior, tools, Aphaenogaster, Pogonomyrmex, Solenopsis.
[Nuevos casos y hospedadores de Myrmicinosporidium durum Hölldobler, 1933 (Fungi)]
Fede García, X. Espadaler
Seven new instances (in five species) of ants infested with Myrmicinosporidium durum spores are reported. Four cases (Tetramorium, Pheidole, Solenopsis and Plagiolepis) were detected in the same locality. Two genera (Tetramorium and Strongylognathus) are new hosts, and a case of an infested male (the first for this caste) is reported as well. A table for all published cases is provided. Infestation is geographically very extended (Europe, North America and Ecuador). The three castes may be infested. Although limited to two subfamilies, it is largely distributed (six tribes) within Myrmicinae. Rarity of those parasites is discussed. Keywords: Myrmicinosporidium durum, new hosts.
[Primeras citas para Galicia de Anergates atratulus (Schenk, 1852) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)]
Fede García
The social parasite ant Anergates atratulus is reported for first time from Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula) in six localities from the provinces of Lugo and A Coruña. The workers associated with Anergates belong to the T. caespitum group and all the males found inside other nests in the areas were T. impurum. Keywords: Anergates, social parasite, Tetramorium.
[Uso de la entropía de Shannon y la complejidad de Kolmogorov para el estudio del sistema de comunicación y las capacidades cognitivas en las hormigas]