Effect of the invasive phanerophytes and associated aphids on the ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) assemblages

In Kyiv and the Kyiv region (Ukraine) during 2015-2017, 47 species of aphids (Aphididae) were found on 18 native species of plants-phanerophytes and for 9 invasive plant species, 14 aphid species were found. Native species of plants-phanerophytes were visited by 19 species of ants (Formicidae) and invasive plant species by 16 species of ants. Only one aphid species (Aphis craccivora Koch) found on invasive plant species was invasive. Most species of invasive phanerophytes are not very attractive for ants, since they are practically not populated by aphids (Acer negundo, Amorpha fruticosa). Some tree species are inhabited by aphids only at the beginning of their life cycle (Padus serotina). Only some species of invasive plants (Quercus rubra, Salix fragilis) can be infested with aphids throughout their life cycle, and accordingly, are visited by ants.