Phorid Flies Parasitizing Leaf-Cutting Ants: Their Occurrence, Parasitism Rates, Biology and the First Account of Multiparasitism

Sociobiology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Antonio Lima Bragança ◽  
Filipe Viegas Arruda ◽  
Lana Rubia Rocha Souza ◽  
Hendria Cirqueira Martins ◽  
Terezinha Maria Castro Della Lucia
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Atta Laevigata ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Phorid Flies ◽  
First Time

The leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens (Linnaeus) and Atta laevigata (Smith) were parasitized by the following phorid flies: Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier, Apocephalus vicosae Disney, Myrmosicarius grandicornis Borgmeier and species of Eibesfeldtphora Disney. It is also related here that the area of occurrence of phorids parasitizing A. sexdens was extended to include Central Brazil. The rate of parasitism on A. sexdens was three times lower than the rate found on A. laevigata; most common flies were, respectively, M. grandicornis in A. sexdens and A. attophilus in A. laevigata. This last phorid showed the shortest life span but the higher percentage of emergence. Multiparasitism on workers of A. sexdens and of A. laevigata involving three combinations of four phorid species was rare and is here related for the first time for leaf-cutting ants.

scholarly journals Survey of leaf-cutting ant species in native vegetation and monocultures in the State of Goiás, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-241
Author(s):  
Filipe Viegas de Arruda ◽  
Marcos Antônio Pesquero ◽  
Marcos Filipe Pesquero ◽  
João Danilo dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Atta Laevigata ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
First Time

Leaf-cutting ants are distributed exclusively in the Americas. For this study, we sampled different areas of native vegetation and monocultures to survey the leaf-cutting ants that occur in the State of Goiás, and to what environments they are associated. We recorded six species of leaf-cutting ants: Atta sexdens, Atta laevigata, Acromyrmex subterraneus, Acromyrmex disciger, Acromyrmex ambiguus, and Acromyrmex hispidus. The last four were registered for the first time for the State of Goiás.

Parasitism of the leaf‐cutting ant Atta bisphaerica by phorid flies: biology and seasonal and inter‐colonial parasitism rates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos A.L. Bragança ◽  
Hendria C. Martins ◽  
Rafael J. Oliveira ◽  
Terezinha M.C. Della Lucia
Keyword(s):  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Phorid Flies

scholarly journals Seasonal Parasitism of the Leaf-Cutting Ant Atta sexdens Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) by Phorid Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) in a Brazilian Cerrado-Atlantic Forest Ecotone

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Cliver Fernandes Farder-Gomes ◽  
Marco Antônio de Oliveira ◽  
Ana Carolina Ribeiro de Oliveira ◽  
Pollyana Leão Gonçalves ◽  
Evaldo Martins Pires ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Brazilian Cerrado ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Phorid Flies ◽  
Forest Ecotone

Social Carrying and Defensive Behavior During Colony Emigration in the Leaf-cutting Ant Atta sexdens

Sociobiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 492
Author(s):  
Lohan Valadares ◽  
Fábio S. Nascimento
Keyword(s):  
Body Surface ◽  
Defensive Behavior ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fungus Garden ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Defensive Strategies ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Nesting Site ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
First Time

In this work, we describe for the first time and under laboratory conditions, the behaviors related to social carrying and defensive strategies during colony emigration in the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens. Once colonies were laid on a tray under suboptimal conditions, groups of workers aggregated all over the body surface of the queen and brood, with mandibles half open and legs widely open in a ‘entangle’ formation. Queens were the first caste to be reallocated, followed respectively by the transportation of brood, newly-emerged workers, and pieces of fungus garden to the new nesting site. Contrary to what have been reported to the Myrmicinae species, adult transport followed a stereotyped sequence of acts involving approach, seize and transportation of newly-emerged workers to new target areas. Our results suggest that, in front of rapid unfavorable changes, leaf-cutting ants are capable of reorganize the nest in order to protect their members and resources.

scholarly journals Reproductive ecology of phorid parasitoids in relation to the head size of leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens Forel

2016 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.F. Farder-Gomes ◽  
M.A. Oliveira ◽  
P.L. Gonçalves ◽  
L.M. Gontijo ◽  
J.C. Zanuncio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Head Capsule ◽  
Host Size ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Offspring Sex Ratio ◽  
Head Capsule Width ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Leaf Cutting

AbstractThe leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is one of the most damaging agricultural pests in the Neotropics. Management strategies predominantly rely on the use of general insecticides. What is needed are more species-specific and environmentally friendly options. Parasitioids such as phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae) may be one such option, but a greater understanding of the ecology of the flies and their ant hosts is essential to devise biological control strategies. Here we report parasitism rates, ant host size, parasitoid abundance per host and resultant sex ratios of two phorid species Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier and Eibesfeldtphora tonhascai Brown parasitizing A.sexdens. The two species achieved parasitism rates of 1.48 and 1.46%, respectively and the pupal period was 14.7 ± 1.1 days and 22.1 ± 2.8 days, respectively. There was no significant difference between the head capsule width of ants parasitized by either A. attophilus or E. tonhascai. Likewise, there was no significant effect between the head capsule width of parasitized and unparasitized ants for both species. A significant positive correlation was found between the head capsule width of the parasitized ants and the number of adult parasitoids A. attophilus emerged. Ants parasitized by E. tonhascai survived significantly longer than those parasitized by A. attophilus. There was no significant effect of ant head width on the sex ratio of the offspring of either parasitoid species and no significant difference in the sex ratio (male: female) of their offspring. In summary, these data addressed here are important steps when considering natural enemies for biological control. Studying survival of the parasitized ants, parasitoid offspring sex ratio and host size preference allows for a better understanding of ant natural biological control in the field and can help in rearing of A. attophilus and E. tonhascai in laboratory.

scholarly journals Fungos Filamentosos Associados às Espécies Atta sexdens (Linnaeus) e Atta laevigata (F. Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Silvestre Pereira Dornelas ◽  
Renato de Almeida Sarmento ◽  
Gil Rodrigues Dos Santos ◽  
Mariela Otoni Nascimento ◽  
Danival José De Souza
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Filamentous Fungi ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Fusarium Solani ◽  
Metarhizium Anisopliae ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Atta Laevigata ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Aspergillus Sp

Resumo. As formigas-cortadeiras, Atta e Acromyrmex, são consideradas as principais pragas no sistema agroflorestal da Região Neotropical. Isso porque cortam material vegetal que servirá de alimento ao fungo simbionte que elas cultivam.  Diversos fungos, que ocorrem em condições naturais no solo, podem ser encontrados associados às formigas-cortadeiras, muitos deles comprovadamente entomopatogênicos. No entanto, esses agentes não têm sido usados em programa de controle biológico dessas formigas. O objetivo deste estudo foi isolar e identificar fungos filamentosos associados às operárias de Atta sexdens e Atta laevigata e testar sua patogenicidade contra operárias da formiga A. sexdens. Para isolamento dos fungos, foi coletado um total de 180 operárias forrageadoras em seis colônias (30 por colônia), sendo 90 de A. sexdens e 90 de A. laevigata. Dentre os fungos isolados das operárias de A. sexdens,foram identificados Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin, Aspergillus flavus Link, Acremonium sp. 1, Aspergillus sp.1, Colletotrichum sp. e Acremonium sp. 2. Os fungos encontrados em associação com as operárias da A. laevigata foram Mucor sp., Aspergillus flavus,  Fusarium solani (Martius) Saccardo, A. niger van Tieghem. A patogenicidade de três desses fungos (A. flavus, A. niger e M. anisopliae) foi testada em operárias de A. sexdens. Nos testes com A. niger e M. anisopliae, o tempo para causar mortalidade de 50% das operárias foi de cinco dias (TL50 = 5 dias) e, nos dois casos, o TL50 foi significativamente inferior ao tratamento controle. Assim, testes devem prosseguir com esses isolados que apresentam potencial no uso do controle biológico das formigas-cortadeiras.Filamentous Fungi Associated With Atta sexdens (Linnaeus) and Atta laevigata (F. Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)Abstract. Leaf-cutting ants, Atta and Acromyrmex genera, are considered major pests in a neotropical agroforestry system because they cut plant material that will serve as food for the symbiotic fungus cultivated by them. Several fungi naturally occurring in the soil can be found associated with leaf-cutting ants, many of them are demonstrably entomopathogenic. However, these agents have not been used as biological control of leaf-cutting ants. The aim of this study was to isolate and to identify filamentous fungi associated with forage workers of Atta sexdens (Linnaeus) and Atta laevigata (F. Smith) and to test their pathogenicity against workers from laboratory colonies. To isolate filamentous fungi, it was collected a total of 180 forage workers (30 in each colony) in six field colonies, 90 of A. sexdens and 90 workers of A. laevigata. Six fungi species from A. sexdens were isolated and identified: Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin, Aspergillus flavus Link, Acremonium sp. 1, Aspergillus sp. 1, Colletotrichum sp. and Acremonium sp. 2. In A. laevigata, it was found four species: Mucor sp., Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium solani (Martius) Saccardo, Aspergillus niger van Tieghem. Three of these fungi were selected for pathogenicity tests against workers of the leaf-cutting ant A. sexdens: A. flavus, A. niger and M. anisopliae. The LT50 (time to cause 50% mortality of workers) in tests with A. niger and M. anisopliae were five days and significantly lower than the control group. Therefore, further tests should proceed with those isolates to demonstrate their potential use in the biological control of leaf-cutting ants.

First record of the occurrence and abundance of phorids (Diptera: Phoridae) associated with leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the municipality of Cruz das Almas-BA

Sociobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
Tamires Doroteo Souza ◽  
Rozimar Campos Pereira
Keyword(s):  
First Record ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Mata Atlântica ◽  
Atta Laevigata ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Mata Atlantica

As formigas cortadeiras do gênero Atta são consideradas uma das principais pragas florestais e agrícolas. Atualmente, o controle químico com iscas granuladas é considerado o mais eficiente, porém, com a adoção inadequada de manejo pode prejudicar organismos não-alvo e o agroecossistema. Parasitóides forídeos têm sido estudados para que possam ser utilizados como estratégia alternativa de manejo para formigas cortadeiras. O uso de forídeos como parte da estratégia de manejo no controle biológico, apesar de ainda ser muito incipiente, pode no futuro se tornar uma alternativa mais segura para o controle de formigas cortadeiras. Assim, o objetivo foi relatar a ocorrência de parasitóides da família Phoridae associados a formigas cortadeiras do gênero Atta no município de Cruz das Almas.Durante os meses de abril a julho, três ambientes foram estudados, sendo: área de pastagem, plantação de eucalipto e um fragmento de Mata Atlântica. Em cada um desses ambientes, foram selecionados três colônias de duas espécies de formigas Atta sexdens sexdens e Atta laevigata. Cada coleta consistiu em seis horas de observação, divididas em oito períodos de 45 minutos. As boas práticas foram feitas nas trilhas e batedores consecutivamente, sempre começando pelo batedor. Um total de 112 forídeos pertencentes a dois gêneros foram coletados, sendo 64 do gênero Eibesfeldtphora e 48 do gênero Myrmosicarius. As boas práticas foram feitas nas trilhas e batedores consecutivamente, sempre começando pelo batedor.Um total de 112 forídeos pertencentes a dois gêneros foram coletados, sendo 64 do gênero Eibesfeldtphora e 48 do gênero Myrmosicarius. As boas práticas foram feitas nas trilhas e batedores consecutivamente, sempre começando pelo batedor. Um total de 112 forídeos pertencentes a dois gêneros foram coletados, sendo 64 do gênero Eibesfeldtphora e 48 do gênero Myrmosicarius.

scholarly journals Survey of Neodohrniphora spp. (Diptera: Phoridae) at colonies of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (FOREL) and specificity of attack behaviour in relation to their hosts

2008 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.S.G. Silva ◽  
O. Bailez ◽  
A.M. Viana-Bailez ◽  
A. Tonhasca ◽  
T.M. Castro Della Lucia
Keyword(s):  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Observation Chamber ◽  
Atta Laevigata ◽  
Atta Sexdens Rubropilosa ◽  
Single Leaf ◽  
Frequent Species ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Laboratory Assay

AbstractAtta sexdens rubropilosa is a leaf-cutting ant that is a significant agricultural and forestry pest in the Neotropical region. This ant is parasitized by flies from the genera Neodohrniphora spp., Apocephalus spp. and Myrmosicarius spp. This study was carried out to determine which species of Neodohrniphora spp. are found near foraging trails of Atta sexdens rubropilosa and to evaluate the specificity of attack behaviour of these parasitoids. From May 2002 to April 2004, we sampled Neodohrniphora spp. hovering over foraging trails of Atta sexdens rubropilosa between 8:00 and 11:00 h and between 15:00 and 18:00 h. To investigate the attacking behaviour against the ants, flies were released individually inside an observation chamber containing a single leaf-cutting ant worker. Each parasitoid was confronted successively with a worker ant of A. sexdens rubropilosa, Atta laevigata Smith, Acromyrmex crassispinus Forel and Acromyrmex subterraneus molestans Santschi. Phorids of three species were identified: Neodohrniphora elongata Brown, Neodohrniphora declinata Borgmeier and Neodohrniphora tonhascai Brown. The three phorid species were active throughout the year and often along the same foraging trails, but N. elongata was the most frequent species. In the laboratory assay, N. elongata, N. declinata and N. tonhascai attacked workers of A. sexdens rubropilosa, A. laevigata and A. crassispinus, but not of A. subterraneus molestans.

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