Potential for biological control of tent building species of ants associated with <i>Phytophthora palmivora</i> pod rot of cocoa in Papua New Guinea

McGregor, A. J.; Moxon, J.

doi:10.1111/j.1744-7348.1985.tb01570.x

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…On the contrary, the data suggests that D. thoracicus had a suppressive effect on black pod incidence. In Papua New Guinea, cocoa trees infested by another non-tent building species of ant, Anoplolepis longipes (Jerdon), had significantly fewer black pods than trees infested by the debris tent building species Technomyrmex albipes (Fred Smith) (McGregor & Moxon, 1985). It was proposed that the exclusion of tent building species by dense populations of A. longipes could be economically beneficial in the management of black pod disease of cocoa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The influence of Dolichoderus thoracicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on losses due to Helopeltis theivora (Heteroptera: Miridae), black pod disease, and mammalian pests in cocoa in Malaysia

Khoo

Ho²

1992

Bull. Entomol. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The influence of the black cocoa ant Dolichoderus thoracicus (Smith) on losses due to the mirid Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse, black pod disease (caused by Phytophthora palmivora (Peronosporales)) and mammalian pests (rats, squirrels and civet cats) was studied over a two-year period in two separate fields of cocoa. Both fields initially had high D. thoracicus activity. In each field, antscarce plots were created by treating these plots with insecticides; antabundant plots existed where the plots were left untreated. An abundance of D. thoracicus clearly had a negative effect on numbers of mirids, with respectively 380 and 2222% more nymphs and adults being recorded in the antscarce than in the ant-abundant plots over the two-year period. An abundance of D. thoracicus did not increase black pod incidence: on the contrary it reduced incidence of the disease in both fields. The number of rat-damaged pods in ant-scarce plots was significantly higher than in ant-abundant plots in one of the fields but no significant difference was detected in the other. Regarding number of pods lost to squirrels and civet cats, no significant difference between ant-scarce and ant-abundant plots was obtained for both fields; the losses to either of these mammalian pests were extremely low. The number of healthy ripe pods in ant-abundant plots was 40.4 and 32.1% higher than in ant-scarce plots in the two fields, these increases being ascribed to protection from H. theivora damage by D. thoracicus. IntroductionThe black cocoa ant Dolichoderus thoracicus (Smith) was first observed to have a negative effect on damage caused by Helopeltis bradyi Waterhouse (misidentified as H. antonii Signoret) and H. theivora Waterhouse (Heteroptera: Miridae) early this century in Indonesia (Giesberger, 1983). The effect was subsequently confirmed both

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Peronosporales) (Gorenz, 1970;Okaisabor, 1971;Evans, 1973;Newhook & Jackson, 1977). This is especially true of those ants whose tents consist mainly of soil (McGregor & Moxon, 1985). Although D. thoracicus seldom builds tents, its role in facilitating spread of black pod disease needs to be verified.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The influence of Dolichoderus thoracicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on losses due to Helopeltis theivora (Heteroptera: Miridae), black pod disease, and mammalian pests in cocoa in Malaysia

Khoo

Ho²

1992

Bull. Entomol. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The role of ants as vectors of fungal plant diseases is less well known, but has been recognised years ago by agricultural researchers. Several studies show that various ants, especially tree-nesting and tent-building species, can play a role in the dissemination of black pod disease (Evans 1973, Taylor and Griffin 1981, McGregor and Moxon 1985.…”

Section: Antsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity patterns and trophic interactions in human-dominated tropical landscapes in Sulawesi (Indonesia): plants, arthropods and vertebrates

Clough

Abrahamczyk

Adams

et al. 2010

Tropical Rainforests and Agroforests Under Global Change

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryThe need to capture primary production in order to sustain and improve economic livelihoods has lead to increasing conversion of natural habitat and intensification of agricultural practices in many parts of the world including most tropical regions. Understanding how these processes affect ecosystems and their functioning, in particular in the high-diversity ecosystems of the tropics, has become a key issue in ecological research. In this chapter, our focus is on the agriculture-forest landscapes of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, an island widely known for its endemic yet still poorly known flora and fauna. The rise of the region to one of the largest cacao producing areas in the world is at the core of recent land-use change and intensification processes. Covering plants (trees, rattan palms, herbs, bryophytes) and several invertebrate (ants, dung beetles, cacao insect herbivores, fruit-feeding butterflies, parasitic Hymenoptera, spiders) and vertebrate groups (amphibians, birds, murids, reptiles), we give an in-depth overview of the determinants of biodiversity in cacao landscapes, including both management and landscape-scale variables into our analyses. Results show that shaded agroforests host a rich community of species. By adopting a large-scale study design we showed that proximity of natural forest is a key predictor for species richness of plants, invertebrates and vertebrates alike. Endemics and forest specialists benefit most from indigenous shade tree cover and proximity to natural forest. Importantly, several functionally important groups such as insectivorous and seed-dispersing birds benefit from tall shade trees, shade tree diversity and proximity to forest edge, while parasitoid diversity is greatest close to natural forests. Available data on the effects of landuse change in cacao landscape of Central Sulawesi is increasing. Change in landscape configuration and management practices are being clearly reflected in the composition of species communities, with likely impacts on ecosystem services such as pest control and pollination. More knowledge is needed especially in terms of species interactions and ecosystem functioning, but also on how existing knowledge can contribute to effective conservation in human-dominated landscapes outside protected areas.

show abstract

“…Phytophthora spread through several mechanisms including surface water movement, rain splash dispersal, air, movement by humans of infected plant material and equipment parts, contaminated soil, or insects, snails and rodents (El‐Hamalawi & Menge, ; Erwin & Ribeiro, ; Ristaino & Gumpertz, ). Turner (, ) showed that in Sarawak the giant African snail, Achatina fulica Bow, could transport sporangia of P. palmivora , in its faeces and was thus involved in the spread of foot rot of Piper nigrum L. Other studies demonstrated the transmission of some Phytophthora species by invertebrates such as Drosophila (Hunter & Buddenhagen, ), the weevil Scyphophorus interstitialis Gyll, ants (McGregor & Moxon, ; Newhook & Jackson, ; Okaisabor, ; Peregrine, ; Taylor & Griffin, ; Turner, ) and snails (El‐Hamalawi & Menge, ; Kueh & Khew, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Citrus gummosis incidence and role of ants (Lasius grandis) and snails (Helix aspersa) as vectors of the disease in Tunisia

Benfradj¹,

Vettraino

Tomassini

et al. 2018

Forest Pathology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary Surveys were conducted between November 2011 and December 2013 to determine the distribution and the incidence of citrus gummosis in Tunisia. Forty‐two citrus orchards in three different citrus areas were surveyed. Symptoms of gummosis were observed in 59.52% of the orchards. The highest incidence was observed in the Cap Bon area. The involvement of some invertebrates in the epidemiology of citrus gummosis was also confirmed. Species of ants (Lasius grandis), snails (Helix aspersa and Rumina decollata) and worms (Armadillidium vulgare) collected from 2012 until 2014 were tested for the presence of Oomycetes. Phytophthora nicotianae and Phytopythium vexans were isolated from the bodies of Lasius grandis and also from bodies and faeces of Helix aspersa. However, no Oomycetes were isolated from the bodies of Rumina decollata and Armadillidium vulgare. In vitro assays, Helix aspersa was fed with P. nicotianae‐ and Ph. vexans‐infected citrus bark showed the existence of those pathogens in 79.1% of the faeces of snails. In vivo assays, snails and ants were able to transmit the pathogens vertically from the base of potted 2‐year‐old trees citrus variety Clementine Mandarin cv. Hernandina, to other parts of the tree.

show abstract

Potential for biological control of tent building species of ants associated with Phytophthora palmivora pod rot of cocoa in Papua New Guinea

Cited by 19 publications

References 6 publications

The influence of Dolichoderus thoracicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on losses due to Helopeltis theivora (Heteroptera: Miridae), black pod disease, and mammalian pests in cocoa in Malaysia

The influence of Dolichoderus thoracicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on losses due to Helopeltis theivora (Heteroptera: Miridae), black pod disease, and mammalian pests in cocoa in Malaysia

Biodiversity patterns and trophic interactions in human-dominated tropical landscapes in Sulawesi (Indonesia): plants, arthropods and vertebrates

Citrus gummosis incidence and role of ants (Lasius grandis) and snails (Helix aspersa) as vectors of the disease in Tunisia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About