Toxicity of foliage extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) on Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) workers

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 391-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Castaño-Quintana ◽  
James Montoya-Lerma ◽  
Carolina Giraldo-Echeverri
Keyword(s):  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Atta Cephalotes

scholarly journals Effect of Tithonia diversifolia Mulch on Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Nests

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Rodriguez ◽  
J. Montoya-Lerma ◽  
Z. Calle
Keyword(s):  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Atta Cephalotes

scholarly journals Insecticidal and Cholinesterase Activity of Dichloromethane Extracts of Tithonia diversifolia on Atta cephalotes Worker Ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Kriss D. Pantoja-Pulido ◽  
Jonathan Rodríguez ◽  
José H. Isaza-Martínez ◽  
Margarita Gutiérrez-Cabrera ◽  
Ana J. Colmenares-Dulcey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticidal Activity ◽  
Cholinesterase Activity ◽  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Laboratory Colonies ◽  
Urban Pests

Leaf-cutter ants are agricultural and urban pests that defy chemical control methods. Laboratory and field studies have revealed repellent and insecticidal activity by the extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae), known as Mexican sunflower, as a promising alternative for the control of the leaf-cutter ant Atta cephalotes. This study evaluated the effects of different extracts (non-polar and polar) of T. diversifolia dry leaves on worker ants from laboratory colonies of A. cephalotes through ingestion and contact. In addition, the biological activity of the extracts as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) was evaluated. A dichloromethane extract at 1000 ppm presented the highest insecticidal activity through ingestion, causing 70% and 90% worker ant mortality after five and seven days of treatment, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase inhibition values showed that the dichloromethane presented the best AChE concentration of inhibition (IC50) at 73.9 ± 11.06 μg/mL, compared to its fractions, which demonstrates that its activity is potentiated when the crude extract is used. Our results can be attributed to the existence of terpenes and sesquiterpene lactones, which are likely inhibitors of AChE, in T. diversifolia.

Chemical constituent analysis of EtOAc fraction of Tithonia diversifolia(HEMSL.) A.Gray

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gui-jun ZHAO ◽  
Chong-xi ZHANG ◽  
Zhi-jun WU ◽  
Xia LI ◽  
Ying-bo YANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Constituent ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Etoac Fraction

Traffic Dynamics of the Leaf-Cutting Ant, Atta cephalotes

2002 ◽  
Vol 159 (3) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
Burd ◽  
Archer ◽  
Aranwela ◽  
Stradling
Keyword(s):  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Traffic Dynamics ◽  
Leaf Cutting

Rates of growth of the food fungus of the leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes (L.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on different substrates gathered by the ants

1979 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mudd ◽  
G. L. Bateman
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Growth Inhibitors ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Foraging Preferences ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Rates Of Growth

AbstractGrowth of the food fungus of the leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes (L.) on extracts of plants selected by the ants was shown to be affected by the plant species, the pH of the extract, the concentration of the sap or plant extract and pretreatment of the substrate by the ants. It was not possible to establish an unambiguous relationship between the rate of growth of the fungus on leaf extracts and the foraging preferences of the ants for the leaves. There were indications, however, that the fungus grows most rapidly on extracts of plant material preferred by A. cephalotes. Relative growth rates of the fungus on different substrates may be related to the presence of growth inhibitors rather than to nutrient availability.

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