β‐eudesmol‐induced aggression in the leaf‐cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa

Abstract

Leaf‐cutting ants are highly polyphagous insects, but some plants escape their attack due to the presence of secondary metabolites that are toxic to the ant–fungus symbiosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that the terpenoid β‐eudesmol extracted from Eucalyptus species (Myrtaceae) is responsible for the deleterious behavior in colonies of leaf‐cutting ant species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of β‐eudesmol on workers of the leaf‐cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). This chemical caused behavioral modification in the colonies, leading to mutilation and death of workers. It is suggested that β‐eudesmol interferes with colony nestmate recognition. As a consequence, colony cohesion may be disrupted by β‐eudesmol what could be used as an additional control tactic against this important pest ant.

Managing leaf-cutting ants: peculiarities, trends and challenges

“…Natural products have had and continue to have crop protection value both as per se insecticides or as chemical backbones for new insecticide molecules, but these products are still limited by the same concerns and shortcomings as synthetic compounds. Some natural compounds, particularly from plant extracts (unlike others, such as lime stone), show promise against leaf‐cutting ants in laboratory experiments, either affecting the ants themselves or their cultivated fungus . However, their potential for field use still deserves attention because, for example, high vapor pressure as in the β ‐eudesmol, a bioactive compound from an Eucalyptus clone effective against leaf‐cutting ants, precludes such use despite its potent interference with nestmate recognition; such interference leads to aggression and high mortality among nestmates (Fig.…”

An Overview of Integrated Management of Leaf-Cutting Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Brazilian Forest Plantations

“…Insecticides, like β-eudesmol from eucalyptus leaves, may interfere with ant behaviour [71][72][73]. Sesquiterpene modified the chemical composition of the ant worker cuticles, confusing their recognition within the nest and triggering alarmed and aggressive behavior [73].…”

Extraction of Campomanesia xanthocarpa fruit using supercritical CO2 and bioactivity assessments

“…Other important compound detected in the extracts was ␣-eudesmol that is a natural sesquiterpene with interesting bioactivity, featuring anti-Alzheimer and antispasmodic properties [40]. ␤-Eudesmol is already known to exhibit several biological activities such as anti-epileptic and insecticidal activity [41,42]. According to Costa et al [43] the three derivatives forms, ␣-eudesmol, ␤-eudesmol and ␥-eudesmol, presented antibacterial activity.…”