Screening of native plants from central Argentina against the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex lundi (Guérin) and its symbiotic fungus

Leucoagaricus nzumbae sp. nov. (Agaricaceae) is described based on morphological and molecular data from Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This species is characterized by the delicate small basidiomes that turn completely lilac when dried, brownish color of the pileus surface, and trichodermal elements with intracellular and parietal brown pigments of the pileus covering. A lectotype and an epitype are designated for Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, a symbiotic fungus of leaf-cutting ants. Full description, nomenclatural notes, and illustrations of fresh basidiomes in situ and of the main macro-and micromorphological features of both species are provided.

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Toxicity of sesame extracts to the symbiotic fungus of leaf-cutting ants

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300050550 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 80 (3) ◽

pp. 349-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Fernando Carlos Pagnocca ◽

Osvaldo Aulino da Silva ◽

Maria Jose Hebling-Beraldo ◽

Odair Correa Bueno ◽

João Batista Fernandes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sesamum Indicum ◽

Atta Sexdens ◽

Symbiotic Fungus ◽

Atta Sexdens Rubropilosa ◽

Leaf Cutting ◽

Leucocoprinus Gongylophorus

AbstractExtracts of different sesame plant (Sesamum indicum) Linnaeus organs inhibited the in vitro growth of the fungus Leucocoprinus gongylophorus (Möller) (=Rozites gongylophora Möller), which is cultivated by the leaf-cutting ants of the species Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The presence of the factor responsible for this inhibition was detected in methanol or chloroform extracts and is constant in the plant.

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DETERMINAÇÃO DO CONSUMO DE FOLHAS DE Eucalyptus grandis POR FORMIGUEIROS DE Atta sexdens rubropilosa

FLORESTA ◽

10.5380/rf.v43i4.26488 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 593

Author(s):

Daniele Ukan ◽

Nilton José Sousa ◽

Claudiane Belinovski

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Conversion Rate ◽

Plant Material ◽

Conversion Factor ◽

Eucalyptus Grandis ◽

Atta Sexdens ◽

Symbiotic Fungus ◽

Atta Sexdens Rubropilosa ◽

Leaf Cutting

Pelo fato de cortarem material vegetal e o transportarem para o interior de suas colônias, as saúvas tornam-se importantes agentes de acumulação de matéria orgânica no solo, por meio de suas câmaras de descarte (lixo). Esse material acumulado é oriundo do processamento do fungo simbionte e se torna uma fonte de nutrientes. Diante desse contexto, o objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a conversão de folhas de Eucalyptus grandis em resíduos, por colônias de Atta sexdens rubropilosa monitoradas em laboratório. Foram selecionadas 8 colônias de Atta sexdens rubropilosa, sendo 4 coletadas em 2007 (denominados adultos) e 4 coletadas em 2010 (denominadas jovens). Durante 72 dias, elas foram supridas com folhas de mudas de Eucalyptus grandis. A média do fator de conversão entre os formigueiros adultos e jovens monitorados em laboratório foi de 1,49. Observou-se que 63,65% do material fornecido aos formigueiros converteram-se em resíduos.Palavras-chave: Resíduos; formigas-cortadeiras; taxa de conversão. AbstractDetermination of consumption of Eucalyptus grandis by nests of Atta sexdens rubropilosa. Because ants cut and carry plant material inside their colonies, they become important agents for the accumulation of organic matter in the soil through their disposal chambers. This accumulated material comes from symbiotic fungus processing and can become a source of nutrients. In the context, the objective of this study was to determine the conversion of leaves of Eucalyptus grandis into waste by colonies of Atta sexdens rubropilosa monitored in laboratory. We selected eight colonies of Atta sexdens rubropilosa, 4 collected in 2007 (called adults), and 4 in 2010 (referred to as young). During 72 days, they were supplied with leaves of Eucalyptus grandis. The average conversion factor between the young and adult colonies monitored in the laboratory was 1.49. We observed that 63.65% of the material supplied to the colonies converted to waste.Keywords: Waste; leaf-cutting ants; conversion rate.

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Available space, symbiotic fungus and colony brood influence excavation and lead to the adjustment of nest enlargement in leaf-cutting ants

Insectes Sociaux ◽

10.1007/s00040-015-0419-1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 62 (4) ◽

pp. 401-413 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

D. Römer ◽

F. Roces

Keyword(s):

Symbiotic Fungus ◽

Leaf Cutting

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The diet of the black widow spider Latrodectus mirabilis (Theridiidae) in two cereal crops of central Argentina

Iheringia Série Zoologia ◽

10.1590/s0073-47212013000400009 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 103 (4) ◽

pp. 388-392 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gabriel Pompozzi ◽

Nelson Ferretti ◽

Leonela Schwerdt ◽

Sofía Copperi ◽

Adriana A. Ferrero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diet Composition ◽

Capture Rate ◽

Cereal Crops ◽

Black Widow ◽

Phenological Stages ◽

Central Argentina ◽

Important Prey ◽

Prey Composition ◽

Leaf Cutting ◽

Widow Spider

The spider Latrodectus mirabilis (Holmberg, 1876) is commonly found in cereals crops of central Argentina. We studied its diet composition at the field and capture rate on leaf-cutting ants based on laboratory experiments. This study comprises the first approach that documents the diet of L. mirabilis in wheat and oat fields of central Argentina. We identified 1,004 prey items collected from its webs during the last phenological stages of both cereal crops. The prey composition was variable but the spiders prey mainly on ants (Formicidae, Hymenoptera), who represented more than 86% of the total. Meanwhile, in the capture rate experiences we registered a high proportion of ants captured by spiders at the beginning of experiences, capturing the half of the ants from total in the first four hours. Summarizing, we reported a polyphagous diet of this spider species in wheat and oat fields. Ants were the most important prey item of this spider, as found in other Latrodectus spiders around the world.

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