Pheromone performance as an attractive component in baits for the control of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

In an attenipt to improve the attractiveness of baits to ants, first in the laboratory, vermiculite particles were impregnated with an extract of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 whole abdoniens. This increased the pick-up ratio A. but not in A. sxdens sexdens.3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine seems to be the component responsible for the increase in pick-up. However, despite more particles being picked up, only a small percentage of them was taken into the nest. Iri the field triais, using citrus-puip bait with pheromones, an increase in pick-up was not detected. The pheromone appeared to excite the anta but did not increase pick-up of the food-bait, which is itself attractive to the anta.

Toxicidade de Substâncias Isoladas de Simarouba versicolor St. Hil. (Simaroubaceae) para Formigas Cortadeiras Atta sexdens L. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) e para o seu Fungo Simbionte Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Singer) Möller

“…in Brazil (Zanetti et al 2003). Traditional control of these ants with insecticides, in spite of its efficiency, is still a problem because of their non-selective toxicity (Vilela & Howse 1988). Therefore, it must be investigated other insecticidal molecules and ways of control these insects.…”