Ants defend coffee from berry borer colonization

Gonthier, David J.; Ennis, Katherine K.; Philpott, Stacy M.; Vandermeer, John; Perfecto, Ivette

doi:10.1007/s10526-013-9541-z

Cited by 67 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…Only ants were observed on the cards, indicating that these were responsible for removing the CBB. Although we acknowledge that the use of dead prey may alter ant behavior, it is already well established that A. sericeasur both antagonizes and predates live CBB in the field, and reduces CBB infestation on plants (Gonthier et al., ; Jiménez‐Soto et al., ; Morris, Vandermeer, & Perfecto, ; Morris et al., ). We used dead prey in this experiment to more readily assess ant removal rates and infer that these changes translate to changes in the biocontrol efficiency of this ant on live prey.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Vegetation connectivity increases ant activity and potential for ant‐provided biocontrol services in a tropical agroforest

et al. 2019

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In natural and managed systems, connections between trees are important structural resources for arboreal ant communities with ecosystem‐level effects. However, ongoing agricultural intensification in agroforestry systems, which reduces shade trees and connectivity between trees and crop plants, may hinder ant recruitment rates to resources and pest control services provided by ants. We examined whether increasing connectivity between coffee plants and shade trees in coffee plantations increases ant activity and enhances biological control of the coffee berry borer, the most devastating insect pest of coffee. Further, we examined whether artificial connections buffer against the loss of vegetation connectivity in coffee plants located at larger distances from the nesting tree. We used string to connect Inga micheliana shade trees containing Azteca sericeasur ant nests to coffee plants to compare ant activity before and after placement of the strings, and measured borer removal by ants on coffee plants with and without strings. Ant activity significantly increased after the addition of strings on connected plants, but not on control plants. Borer removal by ants was also three times higher on connected plants after string placement. Greater distance from the nesting tree negatively influenced ant activity on control coffee plants, but not on connected plants, suggesting that connections between coffee plants and nest trees could potentially compensate for the negative effects that larger distances pose on ant activity. Our study shows that favoring connectivity at the local scale, by artificially adding connections, promotes ant activity and may increase pest removal in agroecosystems. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Vegetation connectivity increases ant activity and potential for ant‐provided biocontrol services in a tropical agroforest

et al. 2019

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“…, Larsen & Philpott , Gonthier et al . ). Thus, the results demonstrating changes in relative abundance of certain ant species with changes in vegetation complexity, and changes in ant abundance, richness, and composition with elevation should be examined more carefully to understand implications for ecosystem service provision, and ultimately for coffee farmers.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Changes in Species Richness, Abundance, and Composition of Arboreal Twig‐nesting Ants Along an Elevational Gradient in Coffee Landscapes

et al. 2015

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The distribution, diversity, and assembly of tropical insects have long intrigued ecologists, and for tropical ants, can be affected by competitive interactions, microhabitat requirements, dispersal, and availability and diversity of nesting sites. Arboreal twig-nesting ants are limited by the number of hollow twigs available, especially in intensive agricultural systems. Ant diversity and abundance may shift along elevation gradients, but no studies have examined if the proportion of occupied twigs or richness of arboreal twig-nesting ants vary with elevation. In coffee agroecosystems, there are over 40 species of arboreal twig-nesting ants. We examined communities of twig-nesting ants in coffee plants along an elevational gradient to answer the following questions: (1) Do species richness and colony abundance decline with elevation or show a mid-elevation peak? (2) Does community composition change with elevation? (3) Is elevation an important predictor of change in ant abundance, richness, and relative abundance of common species? We surveyed 42 10 9 10 m plots in 2013 from 450 to1550 m elevation across a coffee landscape in Chiapas, Mexico. We sampled a total of 2211 hollow coffee twigs, 77.1 percent of which were occupied by one of 28 species of ants. Pseudomyrmex simplex was more abundant in lower elevations, whereas Pseudomyrmex ejectus dominated in high elevations. Species richness and the percent of occupied hollow twigs both peaked at mid-elevations (800-1050 m). In sum, we found that species richness, abundance, and composition of arboreal twig-nesting ants shift with elevation. These findings may provide important insights for understanding ant communities in coffee agroecosystems.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

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“…For example, in Mexican coffee farms, a diverse group of ants significantly reduces the major pest insect, coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei ; however, they also tend the less damaging scale insects (Gonthier et al . ). Similarly, in Indonesian cocoa farms, Dolichoderus spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Oecophylla smaragdinaants provide pest control in Australian cacao

Forbes

Northfield

2017

Biotropica

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Ecosystem service‐driven methods of agricultural production that make optimal use of an ecosystem's natural services are often effective in smallholder crops, leading increases in habitat heterogeneity at large spatial scales that encourage beneficial species. Pollination services in cacao farms can be enhanced through efforts to conserve pollinator habitats, such as adding cacao fruit husks underneath trees to provide habitat and food resources for midge pollinators. However, it remains unclear how this habitat manipulation affects pest densities or biological control. Here, we evaluated the effects of the predaceous ant Oecophylla smaragdina on three major pests of Australian cacao (Helopeltis spp., Amblypelta spp., and Rhyparida nitida) in an Australian cacao farm, in the presence and absence of cacao fruit husks. We also evaluated the effect of O. smaragdina on their potentially plant‐damaging, mutualistic mealybug (Pseudococcidae) partners in the presence and absence of cacao fruit husks. Oecophylla smaragdina reduced the combined densities of Helopeltis spp. and Amblypelta spp., regardless of cacao fruit husk addition. The ants also reduced the densities of R. nitida in the absence of cacao fruit husks, but R. nitida densities were naturally low in the experimental plots that received the addition of cacao fruit husks, regardless of ant presence. In contrast, ants generally increased the densities of mealybugs. These data suggest that O. smaragdina ants provide pest control services for three major insect pests in Australian cacao farms. Furthermore, this control may be compatible with habitat manipulations (i.e., the addition of cacao fruit husks) to improve pollinator habitat.

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Ants defend coffee from berry borer colonization

Cited by 67 publications

References 22 publications

Vegetation connectivity increases ant activity and potential for ant‐provided biocontrol services in a tropical agroforest

Vegetation connectivity increases ant activity and potential for ant‐provided biocontrol services in a tropical agroforest

Changes in Species Richness, Abundance, and Composition of Arboreal Twig‐nesting Ants Along an Elevational Gradient in Coffee Landscapes

Oecophylla smaragdinaants provide pest control in Australian cacao

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