Leaf cutter ants
Posted: 08 Nov 2014, 23:00
HOMEOPATHY: POTENTIAL USE IN ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF LEAF CUTTING ANTS
A Giesel; MIC Boff; P Boff
ABSTRACT: The leaf cutting ants Atta and Acromyrmex are important opportunistic insects in agroecosystems that may become seasonal pest to damage crops. Chemicals are frequently applied to avoid loss production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of homeopathic preparations on foraging activities of leaf cutting ants of Atta and Acromyrmex genus. The treatments were applied during 10 days by spraying homeopathic preparations at the thirtieth centesimal Hahnemamiann order (30CH) directly on the ant’s carrier in the field. The tincture mother was prepared by the triturated and macerated methods of individuals ants of Atta, Acromyrmex and a portion of symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. The Belladonna homeopathy was also used as one treatment. The experimental design was in completely randomized model with 5 replicates. Assessments of the number of ants in activities were held before each of the 10 applications, and 20 days after the last application, by counting ants carrying plant tissue. The homeopathic preparation of triturated ants was the most efficient in reducing ants foraging, followed by macerate ant preparation individuals and the homeopathy Belladonna, standing out clearly from the control without intervention.
Keywords: Homeopathic preparations; ants active; Atta; Acromyrmex, foraging
A Giesel; MIC Boff; P Boff
ABSTRACT: The leaf cutting ants Atta and Acromyrmex are important opportunistic insects in agroecosystems that may become seasonal pest to damage crops. Chemicals are frequently applied to avoid loss production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of homeopathic preparations on foraging activities of leaf cutting ants of Atta and Acromyrmex genus. The treatments were applied during 10 days by spraying homeopathic preparations at the thirtieth centesimal Hahnemamiann order (30CH) directly on the ant’s carrier in the field. The tincture mother was prepared by the triturated and macerated methods of individuals ants of Atta, Acromyrmex and a portion of symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. The Belladonna homeopathy was also used as one treatment. The experimental design was in completely randomized model with 5 replicates. Assessments of the number of ants in activities were held before each of the 10 applications, and 20 days after the last application, by counting ants carrying plant tissue. The homeopathic preparation of triturated ants was the most efficient in reducing ants foraging, followed by macerate ant preparation individuals and the homeopathy Belladonna, standing out clearly from the control without intervention.
Keywords: Homeopathic preparations; ants active; Atta; Acromyrmex, foraging