A survey of the ants of Minorca (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with two new species for the island: Hypoponera punctatissima (Roger, 1859) and Temnothorax algiricus (Forel, 1894)

The island of Minorca was surveyed for ants in June 2008 and two new species to the island are recorded: Hypoponera punctatissima (Roger, 1859) and Temnothorax algiricus (Forel, 1894). Throughout the Balearics, both species have so far been found in Mallorca. A total of 27 species were found on Minorca within a wide range of habitats during a week’s fieldwork in June 2008 and a list of species is given with their data. The Argentine Ant Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) continues to increase and spread across the island. This has serious implications for native species of ant. Species presence and abundance recorded during this survey is compared to that of previous surveys.