Abstract

Between November 2024 and April 2025, a collaborative survey was conducted to document ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) associated with floriculture farms and wood-processing facilities in Panama. A total of 25 species representing 17 genera across six subfamilies were identified. Given Panama’s role as a global shipping hub, its relevance to South Korean ports of entry is direct. Accordingly, interception records from South Korea are presented to illustrate how species associated with Panama’s trade routes may enter and establish through South Korean gateways. Eighteen species (78%) detected in this survey have not yet been intercepted during quarantine inspections at South Korean ports of entry, whereas only one species is already distributed within the country. These findings underscore the significance of recognizing ant spe¬cies linked to traded plant materials from Panama, as such knowledge strengthens the capacity of quarantine authorities to detect and respond to potential invasive species. Moreover, compiling species inventories from traded commodities provides a critical foundation for developing targeted inspection protocols and quaran¬tine strategies, thereby contributing to the prevention of exotic ant introduction and establishment in South Korea under the pressures of expanding international trade and climate change