Managing leaf-cutting ants: Peculiarities, trends and challenges

Leaf-cutting ants are generally recognized as important pest species in Neotropical America. They are eusocial insects that exhibit social organization, foraging, fungus-cultivation, hygiene and a complex nest structure, which render their management notoriously difficult. A lack of economic thresho...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Lucia, Terezinha MC Della, Gandra, Lailla C, Guedes, Raul NC
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2013
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV)
Repositorio:LOCUS Repositório Institucional da UFV
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:locus.ufv.br:123456789/16076
Acceso en línea:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ps.3660
http://www.locus.ufv.br/handle/123456789/16076
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Acromyrmex
Ant baits
Atta
Control
Control shortcomings
Management problems
Descripción
Sumario:Leaf-cutting ants are generally recognized as important pest species in Neotropical America. They are eusocial insects that exhibit social organization, foraging, fungus-cultivation, hygiene and a complex nest structure, which render their management notoriously difficult. A lack of economic thresholds and sampling plans focused on the main pest species preclude the management of leaf-cutting ants; such management would facilitate their control and lessen insecticide overuse, particularly the use of insecticidal baits. Recent restrictions on the use of synthetic compounds for such purposes impose additional challenges for the management of leaf-cutting ants. Considerable effort has been exerted regarding these challenges, which are addressed herein, but which also remain challenges that are yet to be conquered.