Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T23:38:57.812Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

D. J. Peregrine  and
J. M. Cherrett
D. J. Peregrine
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Zoology, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Caerns, U.K.
J. M. Cherrett
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Zoology, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Caerns, U.K.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Two 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.

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 63 , Issue 4 , June 1974 , pp. 609 - 618
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1974

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Amante, E. (1964). Sauva ant abatement in Brazil.—Biokemia 6, 5–8.Google Scholar
Amante, E. (1968). Competicão entre as iscas granuladas à base de aldrin e mirex (dodecacloro) no combate à formiga saúva: Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 e Atta laevigata (F. Smith, 1858) Hymenoptera, Fonnicidae.—Biológico 34, 168–171.Google Scholar
Ben-Dyke, R., Sanderson, D. M. & Noakes, D. N. (1970). Acute toxicity data for pesticides (1970).—World Rev. Pest Contr. 9, 119–127.Google Scholar
Cherrett, J. M. (1969). Baits for the control of leaf-cutting ants. I—Formulation.—Trap. Agric., Trin. 46, 81–90.Google Scholar
Cherrett, J. M. & Merrett, M. R. (1969). Baits for the control of leaf-cutting ants. III—Waterproofing for general broadcasting.—Trap. Agric., Trin. 46, 221–231.Google Scholar
Echols, H. W. (1966). Assimilation and transfer of mirex in colonies of Texas leaf-cutting ants.—J. econ. Ent. 59, 1336–1338.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gonçalves, A. J. L. (1957). Algumas experiencias com aldrin no combate a sauva vennelha (Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel).—Revta Soc. bras. Agron. 12, 35–38.Google Scholar
Hamilton, E. W. (1971). Relative toxicity of aldrin and dieldrin.—J. agric. Fd Client. 19, 863–864.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, T. (1972). Aerial baiting to control leaf-cutting ants.—Pest Artie. & News Suntm. (PANS) 18, 71–74.Google Scholar
Lewis, T. (1973). Aerial baiting to control leaf-cutting ants. II. Field application, nest mortality and the effect on other animals.—Bull. ent. Res. 63, 275–287.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, T. & Norton, G. A. (1973). Aerial baiting to control leaf-cutting ants (Formicidae, Attini) in Trinidad, III. Economic implications.—Bull. ent. Res. 63, 289–303.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, T. & Phillips, F. T. (1973). 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.—Bull. ent. Res. 63, 263–273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, T., Pollard, C. V. & Dibley, G. C. (1974). Rhythmic foraging in the leaf-cutting ant, Atta cephalotes (L.) (Formicidae, Attini).—J. Anim. Ecol. 43, 129–141.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lofgren, C. S., Stringer, C. E., Banks, W. A. & Bishop, P. M. (1967). Laboratory tests with candidate bait toxicants against the imported fire ant.—Beltsville, United States Department of Agriculture. (ARS 81–14).Google Scholar
Mason, H. C., Henneberry, T. J. & Gibson, H. C. (1963). Attractiveness of insecticide baits to adults of Drosophila melanogaster.—J. econ. Ent. 56, 725–727.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nickel, J. L. (1958). Agricultural insects of the Paraguayan Chaco.—J. econ. Ent. 51, 633–637.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Otubu, A. M. O. (1966). The insecticidal control of leaf-cutting ants, Atta cephalotes L. (Formicidae: Myrmicinae, Attini)—51 pp. St. Augustine, Trinidad, U.W.I. Library (D.T.A. Report).Google Scholar
Reinking, R. B. (1966). Texas leaf-cutting ant: damage to citrus and control.—J. Rio Grande Vail. hort. Soc. 20, 60–63.Google Scholar
Stringer, C. E. Jr., Lofgren, C. S. & Bartlett, F. J. (1964). Imported fire ant toxic bait studies: evaluation of toxicants.—J. econ. Ent. 57, 941–945.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wagner, R. E. & Reierson, D. A. (1969). Yellow jacket control by baiting. I. Influence of toxicants and attractants on bait acceptance.—J. econ. Ent. 62, 1192–1197.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weber, N. A. (1972). Gardening ants, the Attines.—Mem. Am. phil. Soc. 92, 1–146.Google Scholar
Wille, J. (1929). Die Blattschneiderameisen Sudbrasiliens und Versuche zu ihrer Bekämpfung.—Tropenflanzer 32, 404–426Google Scholar
Zárate, L. L. (1964). Cebos contra la hormiga ‘coqui’ Atta cephalotes L. en Tingo Marfa.—Revta peru. Ent. agríc. 7, 45–49.Google Scholar