The effect of homeopathic preparations on the activity level of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants

Giesel, Alexandre; Boff, Mari Inês Carissimi; Boff, Pedro

doi:10.4025/actasciagron.v34i4.14418

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This would be like a pathogenetic illness and may have interrupted its development. An effect similar to that described is the study by Giesel et al, 25 where leaf-cutting ant colonies ( Acromyrmex spp.) were treated with homeopathic medicines and this caused an overall decrease in insect activities for 20 days after its application.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Effect of Ointments of Sulphur or Pyrogenium on Larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Barros

Avilés

Hillmann³

et al. 2022

Homeopathy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a serious problem in animal health in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Ointment-type preparations are a good option of formulation in cases of myiasis in farm and pet animals. Sulphur and Pyrogenium have already shown in-vitro efficacy on C. hominivorax. This article describes an in-vitro experiment to test the inhibition of development from exposing larvae of C. hominivorax to two homeopathic ointments (prepared individually with Sulphur or Pyrogenium). Methods The homeopathic ointments were produced by mixing sterile lanolin, tocopherol and homeopathic medicine on a hydroalcoholic basis according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Larvae were obtained from naturally occurring myiases in sheep (wild larvae) or from a laboratory colony. The test consisted of exposing a group of 10 third-stage C. hominivorax wild larvae in contact with Sulphur or Pyrogenium ointment, or a group of 15 laboratory-propagated larvae in contact with the alcoholic vehicle of the ointment or homeopathic medicines prepared in sterile water (Sulphur or Pyrogenium), and observing the effect on the development, longevity and fertility of the blow-fly specimens. Results The C. hominivorax larval inhibition rate was 90.0% for the Sulphur ointment group and was 86.0% for the Pyrogenium ointment group. The non-alcoholic vehicle and the alcoholic vehicle inhibited the development of 24.0% and 22.08% of the larvae respectively. Sulphur prepared in sterile water inhibited the development of 74.67% and Pyrogenium in sterile water inhibited 73.33% of larvae. Specimens that survived contact with homeopathic ointments had their longevity decreased and did not reproduce. Conclusion Ointments of Sulphur or Pyrogenium were able to inhibit the development of C. hominivorax larvae. The ointment vehicle was harmless.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Effect of Ointments of Sulphur or Pyrogenium on Larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Barros

Avilés

Hillmann³

et al. 2022

Homeopathy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The preparation methodology of the centesimal Hahnemannian high dilution, 30 CH, among the evaluated preparations, was the most efficient in suppressing the foraging activity of A. laticeps anthills. This finding corroborates the work by Giesel et al (2012;2013), who reported that dynamized high dilution preparations, when used to reductione foraging by A. sexdens piriventris and Acromyrmex spp. leafcutter ants, has a greater effect when the preparation method utilizes the grinding of the raw material to produce biotherapeutic preparations at high dilutions.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

<b>Dynamized high dilutions for management of the leafcutter ant <i>Acromyrmex laticeps</i> Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Giesel

Boff

2017

Acta Sci. Agron.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. High dilutions may have different biological effects due to the dynamization method and the dilution order used. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the foraging activity of the leafcutter ant Acromyrmex laticeps subjected to high dilution preparations originating from grinding worker ants and developing dilutions at the following dynamizations: 6, 12, and 30 CH (centesimal Hahnemannian dilution order), 5 LM (fifty millesimal Hahnemannian dilution order) and 35 K (Korsakovian dilution order). The preparations were applied daily for 10 days by spraying them on moving ants on tracks close to the anthill. The evaluations included counting the number of ants transporting vegetable fragments on the tracks before each application, after application, and 20 and 30 days after the first application. The high dilution preparations for the 6 and 30 CH and 35 K treatments reduced the foraging activity of the leafcutter ant A. laticeps after 10 applications. The 30 CH treatment showed a higher reduction in the foraging activity of A. laticeps anthills. Prolonged reduction of the foraging activity of A. laticeps anthills was observed 20 days after the first application with the 35 K and 30 CH treatments.Keywords: foraging, non-residual therapies, high dilutions, nosodes.Altas diluições dinamizadas no manejo de formigas cortadeiras Acromyrmex laticeps Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) RESUMO. Altas diluições podem apresentar efeito biológico diferenciado em função do método de dinamização utilizado e sua ordem de diluição. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade forrageira da formiga cortadeira Acromyrmex laticeps submetida aos preparados em alta diluição oriundos da trituração de formigas operárias e elaborada nas seguintes dinamizações: 6, 12 e 30 CH (ordem de diluição centesimal hahnemanniana), 5 LM (ordem de diluição cinquenta milesimal hahnemanniana) e 35 K (ordem de diluição korsakoviana). As aplicações dos preparados foram diárias durante 10 dias, na forma de pulverização sobre as formigas em movimento nos carreiros próximo ao formigueiro. As avaliações constaram da contagem realizada antes de cada aplicação de formigas transportando fragmentos vegetais nas trilhas e adicionalmente, aos 20 e 30 dias após a primeira aplicação. Os preparados em alta diluição na 6 e 30 CH e na 35 K reduziram a atividade forrageira da formiga cortadeira A. laticeps, após 10 aplicações. O tratamento 30 CH, apresentou maior redução da atividade forrageira de formigueiros de A. laticeps. Efeito prolongado foi observado 20 dias após a primeira aplicação, na redução da atividade forrageira de formigueiros de A. laticeps, com os tratamentos 35 K e 30 CH.Palavras-chave: forrageamento, terapias não residuais, altas diluições, nosódios.

show abstract

“…control with Metarhizium anisopliae and Trichoderma viride ( López and Orduz 2003 ); compost made with animal manure, plant residues, molasses, yeast, and agricultural lime ( Chaves 2006 ); grain formulations incorporating plant and fungi extracts ( Herrera-Salazar 2009 ); and the control of Acromyrmex spp. with homeopathic preparations ( Giesel et al. 2012 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Tithonia diversifolia Mulch on Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Nests

Rodríguez

Lerma

Calle

2015

Journal of Insect Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent studies have shown an insecticidal effect of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) Gray (Asterales: Asteraceae) foliage on workers of Atta cephalotes L. and inhibitory effects of this plant on the growth of the symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (A. Müler) Singer. To evaluate the potential of T. diversifolia as a biological control treatment of this important pest, we assessed the effect of green manure (mulch) of this plant on natural nests of A. cephalotes, in Cali, Colombia. Three treatments were randomly assigned to 30 nests: 1) green mulch of T. diversifolia, 2) green mulch of Miconia sp., Ruiz & Pav. and 3) unmulched control. Every 2 wk for 6 mo, the surface of the nests was completely covered with leaves. Physical and chemical parameters of nest soil were assessed before the first and after the last application of the mulch. Ant foraging in T. diversifolia-treated nests decreased by 60% after the initial applications of the mulch, while nest surface area decreased by 40%. When the nests covered with T. diversifolia were opened, it was observed that the superficial fungus chambers had been relocated at a greater depth. In addition, microbial activity and soil pH increased by 84% and 12%, respectively, in nests covered with plant residues. In conclusion, the continued use of T. diversifolia mulch reduces foraging activity and negatively affects the internal conditions of the colonies, thereby inducing the ants to relocate the fungus chambers within the nests.

show abstract

The effect of homeopathic preparations on the activity level of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants

Cited by 8 publications

References 18 publications

Effect of Ointments of Sulphur or Pyrogenium on Larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Effect of Ointments of Sulphur or Pyrogenium on Larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

<b>Dynamized high dilutions for management of the leafcutter ant <i>Acromyrmex laticeps</i> Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Effect of Tithonia diversifolia Mulch on Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Nests

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About