Wasmannia Auropunctata (Roger, 1863) (Arthropoda: Hymenoptera: Formicidae). An annoying ant

Abstract

The research proposes, through interviews, participative workshops, talks and socio-cultural meetings, to link the inhabitants of the “Jumagua” village located in the municipality of Sagua La Grande in the province of Villa Clara, Cuba, to the knowledge of Invasive Alien Species and their undesirable effects on the vulnerable Cuban ecosystems and on human health, and in particular to the knowledge of the species Wasmannia Auropunctata. For the development of the research, methods of information collection and processing of the information collected were used. During the interviews, it was found that some inhabitants had some knowledge about the Santanica, but not about the harmful effects that this animal can cause to vulnerable Cuban ecosystems and human health. Through these activities, spaces were created for exchange and reflection on the importance of knowing important aspects of this Invasive Exotic Species. This linkage of cooperation and sensitization allowed a rapprochement of the inhabitants with the researchers and the feedback of scientific knowledge with popular knowledge. The workshops, talks and socio-cultural meetings were evaluated as pertinent by the different external evaluators.

Keywords

• population settlement
• invasive alien species
• “jumagua”
• santanica
• participatory workshops.