Assessment of the behaviour patterns of the lemon leaf-cutting ant, Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), to natural sources of allelochemicals

Abstract

Reactions of the lemon leaf-cutting ant, Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, to natural sources of allelochemicals has been investigated at the University of Southampton. A linear hypothesis model in a randomized block design of a factorial experiment was utilized to assess the responses of the ants to the treatment combinations. When workers were offered flowers and leaves of the specified plant species simultaneously with mesocarp and endocarp of orange, they exhibited a consistent preference for the flowers. Flower fragments comprised 93.64% of the experimental material brought to the nest, leaves 6.20%, orange mesocarp 0.04% and orange endocarp 0.12%. Deterrent effects were noticed in leaves of Scilla spp. (Liliaceae) and the ants were chemically stimulated to explore, cut and transport the highly attractive flowers of Mahonia aquifolium (Berberidaceae).

Convergent recruitment of new pollinators is triggered by independent hybridization events inNarcissus

“…There are many reports in the literature of repellents acting against nectar-robbing ants, sometimes also playing an important role in complex mutualistic interactions (Ghazoul, 2001;Junker et al, 2007). Interestingly, there are reports that leaves (Sales, 1994) and flower extracts (Willmer et al, 2009) from several species of Narcissus cause 'aggressive and/or alarm responses' in ants, which is consistent with the hypothesis of a breakdown of the defence system against ants. However, in our samples, the…”

“…There are many reports in the literature of repellents acting against nectar‐robbing ants, sometimes also playing an important role in complex mutualistic interactions (Ghazoul, ; Junker et al ., ). Interestingly, there are reports that leaves (Sales, ) and flower extracts (Willmer et al ., ) from several species of Narcissus cause ‘aggressive and/or alarm responses’ in ants, which is consistent with the hypothesis of a breakdown of the defence system against ants. However, in our samples, the reportedly ant‐repelling monoterpenoids linalool, geraniol, α‐pinene and limonene (Junker & Blüthgen, ) did not follow the expected pattern of a parallel disruption of ant repellent routes and some ant attractants were even recorded.…”