Population Dynamics of Acromyrmex crassispinus (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Attacks on Pinus taeda Linnaeus (Pinaceae) plantations

Sociobiology

Wilson Reis Filho¹  Mariane Aparecida Nickele² 

[1] Epagri/Embrapa Florestas, Colombo, PR, Brazil.;Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brasil.

关键词: Control;    leaf-cutting ants;    nest density;    nuptial flight;    spatial distribution;   

DOI  :  

来源: Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Brazil

【 摘 要 】

This work aimed to study the population dynamics ofAcromyrmex crassispinus(Forel) inPinus taedaL. plantations, evaluating the density and spatial distribution of nests over time, inferring about the period of the first nuptial flight ofA. crassispinuscolonies, and evaluating the levels of attack of this leaf-cutting ant onP. taedaplants. Assessments were performed monthly in the first year after planting, every three months until the third year and every six months until the plantation was six years old. The presence of nests was observed only after 15 months after planting. The nest density gradually increased until the planting completed 30 months, and decreased when the forest canopy began to close (after 54 months). Spatial distribution ofA. crassispinusnests was random. Probably, the first nuptial flight of anA. crassispinuscolony occurs after the third year of the colony foundation.Pinus taedaplants were not attacked byA. crassispinusthroughout the evaluation period. Then, when dealing with a replanting area ofPinusplantation, where the previous forest has not been subject to pruning nor thinning, the problem withA. crassispinusis almost null if the clearcutting and the new planting occur during the winter. In this case, leaf-cutting ants control can be alleviated and it is not necessary to carry out systematic control of ants whereA. crassispinusis the predominant leaf cutting ant species.Acromyrmex crassispinuscontrol should be done only if nests are located or if attacked plants by ants are detected.

【 授权许可】

Unknown