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Toxic effects of leaves of Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae) to laboratory nests of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Maria José A. Hebling*
Affiliation:
Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
Paulo Sérgio Maroti
Affiliation:
Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
Odair Correa Bueno
Affiliation:
Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
Osvaldo Aulino da Silva
Affiliation:
Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
Fernando Carlos Pagnocca
Affiliation:
Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
*
Dra Maria José A. Hebling, Instituto de Biociências – UNESP, PO Box 199, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.

Abstract

Laboratory nests of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel fed daily with leaves of Ricinus communis showed a gradual decrease in fungal garden volume, a higher ant mortality rate, and fungal garden extinction after 6 weeks. The mean oxygen consumption rate of these ants was higher than that of control ants collected from nests fed with leaves of Eucalyptus alba (Myrtaceae) suggesting one or more components of the leaves of R. communis had a direct physiological effect on the ants, in addition to inhibiting fungal garden growth.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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