Defence mechanisms in young and old leaves against cutting by the leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

1978 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Littledyke ◽  
J. M. Cherrett
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Defence Mechanisms ◽  
Leaf Waxes ◽  
Young Leaves ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Laboratory Colonies ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractIn laboratory colonies of Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich), discs cut from young leaves of several plant species were picked up more readily than those from old leaves. Pith sections impregnated with whole extracts of young leaves were consistently picked up in preference to others with extracts of old leaves, and non-lipid extracts were consistently preferred to extracts containing lipids. Arrestive properties were confined to the non-lipid extracts, and inhibitory properties were mainly found in the lipids, but removal of lipids from the whole extracts did not necessarily make them more arrestive. In most cases, dewaxing of leaves with chloroform made them more acceptable, and heating and freezing of leaves had a similar effect. Leaf waxes showed inhibitory properties. Wax extract of young leaves was often preferred to that of old leaves, and differences in preferences were observed for wax extracts from different plant species. The implications of these findings for the relationship between leaf-cutting ants and the vegetation that they cut are discussed.

Direct ingestion of plant sap from cut leaves by the leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and acromyrmex octospinosus (reich) (Formicidae, Attini)

1976 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Littledyke ◽  
J. M. Cherrett
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Fungus Garden ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Substrate Preparation ◽  
Fungus Culture ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Laboratory Colonies ◽  
Reduced Drinking

AbstractIngestion of radiolabelled plant juices from cut surfaces of leaves during foraging and during substrate preparation for the fungus garden was demonstrated for laboratory colonies of the leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich). Using P32 isotope, up to one-third of the radioactivity in the leaves was taken in directly by the colony as a whole, but this was much less when C14 was used. Additional plant material was taken in by the ants via the fungus garden. Large numbers of ants spend time in investigating cut surfaces of leaves and also in cutting and crimping leaves. Ingestion of plant material during these processes could play an important nutritional role in the colony and this may explain why many ants return from foraging apparently unladen. Large ants obtained most of their plant juice intake during foraging and the medium and small ants took much of theirs during substrate preparation. Inhibitory chemicals did not affect cutting but they reduced drinking and also reduced the intake of P32 from leaves during substrate preparation. The ants also ingested different amounts of P32 from leaves of different acceptability. It is suggested that leaf-cutting ants use fungus culture as a means of ‘sidestepping’ plant inhibitors. Nutrients are ingested directly from leaves when these are palatable, and the less palatable components are made available to the ants via the fungus.

Variability in the selection of substrate by the leaf-cutting ants atta cephalotes (L.) and acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) (Formicidae, Attini)

1975 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Littledyke ◽  
J. M. Cherrett
Keyword(s):  
Physical Nature ◽  
General Level ◽  
Chemical Information ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Laboratory Colonies ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractIn laboratory colonies of Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) pick-up responses to paper discs impregnated with arrestant and inhibitory solutions and feeding responses to measured amounts of these solutions were progressively increased by increasing the concentration of arrestants and decreasing the concentration of inhibitor; the inhibitor had a much greater effect on feeding than on pick-up. Both species picked up paper discs impregnated with arrestants and Acromyrmex readily incorporated these into the fungus garden, while Atta did this less readily. Foraging of arrestive paper discs presented regularly for several days was maintained by Acromyrmex but declined in Atta. Both species were less selective during periods of high foraging activity and during a shortage of suitable substrate. Incoming foragers did not seem to influence the preferences of the outgoing ants, but different colonies showed different preferences. Initially little preference was shown for new materials but on subsequent encounters widely fluctuating preferences emerged, which stabilised within two weeks. Over longer time periods further changes in preferences occurred. The ants' pick-up, cutting or feeding response to a particular material is determined by its chemical and physical nature, the amount of chemical information which the ants obtain, and the threshold of their response. This threshold is modified by such factors as the genetic composition of the colony, the previous quantitative and qualitative availability of the substrate, and the general level of foraging activity. Practical implications of these findings for toxic bait production are discussed.

Aerial baiting to control leaf-cutting ants (Formicidae, Attini) in Trinidad. II. Field application, nest mortality and the effect on other animals

1973 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Cultivated Land ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Leaf Cutting

AbstractAircraft were used to apply a bait containing aldrin, soyabean oil and citrus meal against leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) and Atta cephalotes (L.)) in Trinidad. The distribution patterns of bait applied by different aircraft were measured. Plain bait applied at 2.2 kg/ha to an uncultivated island in the dry season destroyed 91% of nests of Acromyrmex, and waterproofed bait applied in the wet season to cultivated land on the mainland destroyed 85%. Small nests of Atta were also destroyed by this treatment but large nests in forest required much heavier dosages applied to the nest itself. Lizards and crabs living in the baited areas were contaminated with aldrin but there was no evidence to show that they were harmed.

A field comparison of the modes of action of aldrin and mirex for controlling colonies of the leaf-cutting ants Atta Cephcdotes (L.) and Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Reich) (Formicidae, Attini)

1974 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Peregrine ◽  
J. M. Cherrett
Keyword(s):  
West Indies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Killing Field ◽  
Modes Of Action ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
The Difference

AbstractTwo toxic baits, one containing aldrin and the other containing mirex, were compared for their effectiveness in killing field colonies of Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) in Trinidad, West Indies. The fate of these two toxicants within tie nests was followed by using radiolabelled bait. Of the two baits, mirex appeared to be more acceptable to both species of ant. With Acromyrmex, the ratio of living to dead fungus gardens was not affected by the bait used, whereas with Atta there was a significant difference, aldrin killing many more gardens than mirex. For both species the proportion of medium-sized workers radiolabelled was significantly greater than for the other castes, and mirex marked greater numbers of all castes than did aldrin. Greatly different proportions of Atta workers were radiolabelled in the different fungus gardens of a nest with both baits. More radioactivity was detected in the fungus gardens treated with mirex, the difference being significant for Atta but not for Acromyrmex. Mirex bait particles incorporated into the fungus gardens were significantly smaller than aldrin bait particles, indicating different degrees of comminution by the ants.

Aerial baiting to control leaf-cutting ants (Formicidae, Attini) in Trinidad. I. The bait, its production, and the effects of weathering on attractiveness and persistence of toxicants

1973 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lewis ◽  
F. T. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Sun And Shade

AbstractA technique is described for the preparation of large quantities (up to 1100 kg) of plain and waterproofed leaf-cutting ant bait from dried citrus meal, soyabean oil and aldrin. Small amounts (500 g) were weathered in sun and shade during wet and dry periods in Trinidad and the acceptability of the bait to ants {Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) and Atta cephalotes (L.)) and the persistence of toxicants in it were assessed in laboratory tests. Methyltrichlorosilane was the most effective of three waterproofing agents tested. In the wet season, waterproofed bait remained acceptable to ants for at least 30 days whereas plain bait deteriorated in less than four days; in the dry season waterproofed bait was only marginally more attractive. In the wet season, Acromyrmex strongly preferred weathered waterproofed bait to fresh leaves, whereas Atta slightly preferred leaves to bait. In the dry season, Acromyrmex showed little preference between bait and leaves, whereas Atta strongly preferred bait. Over the period that the bait remained attractive to the ants it retained between one-third and two-thirds of the original aldrin in the form of aldrin and dieldrin.

The chemical basis for the use of citrus pulp as a fungus garden substrate by the leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

1978 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 673-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mudd ◽  
D. J. Peregrine ◽  
J. M. Cherrett
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Fraction ◽  
Single Component ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Fungus Garden ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Chemical Basis ◽  
Citrus Pulp ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Lipid Components

AbstractComponents of dried citrus pulp were isolated and tested for arrestant activity for Atta cephalores (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich). Both lipid and non-lipid components contributed to the acceptability of the pulp. Arrestant activity was greater in the non-lipid fraction. Sucrose was found to be the most active single component of the non-lipids. The arrestant properties of the pulp were attributable to the particular balance of constituents rather than to any single component. The results are compared with the response of other insects to similar phytochemical stimuli.

Laboratory evaluation of new insecticides and bait matrices for the control of leaf-cutting ants (hymenoptera, formicidae)

1976 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Etheridge ◽  
F. T. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Propionic Acid ◽  
Orange Juice ◽  
Laboratory Evaluation ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Release Formulation ◽  
Citrus Pulp ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Killing Action

AbstractLaboratory evaluation of alternative insecticides to replace persistent organochlorines in leaf-cutting ant baits is described, based on tests of 40 candidate compounds which were bioassayed with Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich). Insecticides having a suitable delayed killing action are listed, together with others which, although highly toxic to ants, had too rapid an action, but could feasibly be modified by using a controlled-release formulation.A search was also made for alternative bait matrices to replace the expensive and often inadequate materials in current use. Horticultural grade vermiculite with sorbed orange juice as an arrestant was the best matrix tested, being at least as attractive as dried citrus pulp, which was the best previously known matrix.Treatment of dried citrus pulp bait with propionic acid gave considerable protection against moulds, which spoil stored baits and baits placed in the field, and did not alter the attractiveness of these baits to ants.

Olfactory responses of the leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the laboratory

1978 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Littledyke ◽  
J. M. Cherrett
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Fungus Garden ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Olfactory Responses ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Lemon Oil ◽  
Foraging Trail ◽  
Laminar Air Flow ◽  
Pheromone Trail

AbstractThe leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) were tested in a moving-air olfactometer for their responses to a variety of odours from leaves, fruit, flowers, essential oils, other ants and a fungus garden. The line of a foraging trail established in still air tended to loop downwind in the presence of a laminar air flow. The ants exhibited positive, negative and neutral responses to the test odours, confirming the existence of attractants and repellents in substrate materials. Neutral responses to the odours of several of the materials that were acceptable for cutting showed that arrestive materials were not necessarily attractive. Ants orientating towards the source of an odour often secreted a pheromone trail. Atta and Acromyrmex responded differently to several of the materials tested, and the responses to odours of young and old leaves were not totally consistent with the observed cutting preferences. Removal of wax from non-attractive leaves made them attractive. Both species responded negatively to lemon-oil odour, but some Acromyrmex workers showed a hostile response. A hostile response was also elicited by the odour from other ants. Fungus-garden odour elicited a positive investigatory response, and no response was shown to queen odour. Laden Atta workers did not respond to an odour that was attractive to unladen ants, and laden examples of Acromyrmex responded in small numbers to such odours. The addition of attractive chemicals to baits for the control of leaf-cutting ants would improve pick-up by making the bait particle easier to find.

Phytochemical arrestants for the leaf-cutting ants, Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich), with some notes on the ants' response

1970 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Cherrett ◽  
C. E. Seaforth
Keyword(s):  
Cation Exchange ◽  
Total Lipid ◽  
Exchange Resin ◽  
Lipid Fraction ◽  
Cation Exchange Resin ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Chemical Substances ◽  
Leaf Cutting

Albedo (the inner, white part of the rind) of the grapefruit (Citrus parodisi) and the flowers of the garden hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) were analysed for the presence of chemo-stimulants for the leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich). Two distinct types of chemical substances in grapefruit albedo (unabsorbed sapids from a cation-exchange resin I.R. 120, and the total lipid fraction) were significant arrestants for Atta cephalotes, whilst five types of chemical substances (absorbate on the cation-exchange resin I.R. 120, unabsorbed sapids from the same resin, the total lipid fraction, absorbate on a polyamide resin, and neohesperidosides) arrested Acromyrmex octospinosus. For both ant species, the unabsorbed sapids from the polyamide resin appeared to be the most attractive of the relatively refined fractions. A preliminary analysis showed a similar situation for hibiscus flowers.Both ant species preferred young to older grapefruit leaves. There appears to be a chemical basis for this, and in the case of A. octospinosus there was evidence of the existence of repellents in the older leaves and in grapefruit flavedo (the outer, yellow part of the rind).Substantial heterogeneity in preferences was detected in a given nest from day to day, between different nests of the same species, and between the two species. It is suggested that this is attributable to social phenomena evolved by the ants.

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