Abstract

FUSTER, A; CORONEL, C.; NAVARRO, M.  and  DIODATO, L.. Alternatives for control of Acromyrmex striatus Roger in a Prosopis alba Griseb plantation in Capital department of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Quebracho (Santiago del Estero) [online]. 2021, vol.29, n.1, pp.15-24.  Epub Apr 01, 2021. ISSN 0328-0543.

Afforestation using Prosopis alba Griseb has been promoted in the province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina, since the last decades. The presence of harmful insects should be investigated for them to achieve their proper development. In this regard, very little it is known about the impact that leaf cutter ants and control methods have upon P. alba plantations. Thus, the present work aims to: 1) identify the most frequent species of leaf cutter ants in a P. alba plantation; 2) characterize their nests; 3) apply entomopathogenic fungi and antagonists for control and 4) evaluate chemical insecticides. To do so, 4 samples of leaf cutter ants were collected with pitfall traps from nests selected according to their distribution and their surface appearance in a plantation of P. alba in the Capital department of Santiago del Estero. 18,650 ants were captured and identified as belonging to the Acromyrmex striatus Roger species. The nests characterized by presenting a circular area of approximately 2.80 m2 in diameter, free of vegetation, highlighting the absence of a land dome. Among the various control alternatives tested, the chemical insecticide was 100 % effective. As to the behavior of A. striatus, raising the temperature inside the nest prevented the entomopathogens used from developing, so they would not be suitable for this ant species. Thus, to draw a conclusion on the effectiveness of the fungi used, further research on the ecological relationships between ants and entomopathogens should be carried out

Keywords : Acromyrmex striatus; characterization of nests; entomopathogenic fungi; antagonistic fungi; sulfluramid.

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