Role of Ants in Pest Management

Way, M. J.; Khoo, K. C.

doi:10.1146/annurev.en.37.010192.002403

Cited by 420 publications

(304 citation statements)

References 98 publications

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“…Their presence may facilitate the establishment of other functional groups in the ecosystem, such as the mutualist associations with scales, aphids, and cicadas (Sternorrhyncha and Auchennorrhyncha) (Lee, 1985;Way and Khoo, 1992).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil macrofauna density and diversity across a chronosequence of tropical forest restoration in Southeastern Brazil

et al. 2017

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Edaphic macrofauna must be better studied if we want to take advantage of their full potential for the restoration of tropical ecosystems. We investigated changes in edaphic macrofauna density and diversity along a secondary succession chronosequence in the Atlantic Forest. Our results show some clear patterns of change in soil macrofauna along the chronosequence. Density did not increase along secondary succession, but was correlated with canopy cover. Diversity was characterized by high dominance of social insects and evenness among other groups. We conclude soil macrofauna has a high capacity to recolonize young forests and that its recovery is considerably fast compared to other ecosystem transformations.Keywords: edaphic macrofauna, richness, bioindicators, Seasonal Semidecidual Forest. Densidade e diversidade da macrofauna edáfica em uma cronosequência de florestas tropicais em restauração no Sudeste do Brasil ResumoA macrofauna edáfica deve ser mais bem estudada se quisermos aproveitar todo o seu potencial para a restauração de ecossistemas tropicais. Nós investigamos as mudanças de densidade e diversidade da macrofauna edáfica em uma cronossequência durante a sucessão secundária na Mata Atlântica. Nossos resultados mostram padrões claros de mudança. A densidade não aumentou ao longo da sucessão secundária, mas foi correlacionada com a cobertura de dossel. A diversidade foi caracterizada pela alta dominância de insetos sociais e equidade entre os demais grupos. Nós concluímos que a macrofauna edáfica tem alta capacidade de recolonizar florestas jovens e que sua recuperação é relativamente rápida se comparada a outras transformações ecossistêmicas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil macrofauna density and diversity across a chronosequence of tropical forest restoration in Southeastern Brazil

et al. 2017

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“…Furthermore, studies have shown that birds not only reduce pest populations, but that plants respond with higher levels of productivity (Whelan et al 2008, Mooney et al 2010. In addition to birds, ants have been shown to reduce pest populations in agroecosystems (Way and Khoo 1992, Perfecto and Castiñeiras 1998, Vandermeer et al 2002, Armbrecht and Perfecto 2003, Philpott and Armbrecht 2006 and, as they operate on a different spatial scale from birds (Armbrecht and Perfecto 2003), could provide complementary pest control services.…”

Section: List Of Tablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to birds, ants have also been shown to be pest control agents in a variety of agroecosystems (Way and Khoo 1992, Perfecto and Castiñeiras 1998, Philpott and Armbrecht 2006, including coffee (Vandermeer et al 2002, Armbrecht and, but their role in ecosystem functioning is less straightforward. In addition to their role as predators, many ant species cultivate scale insects (superfamily Coccoidea) that are common coffee pests (Vandermeer et al 2002).…”

Section: List Of Tablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying pest control services by birds and ants in Kenyan coffee farms

Milligan

Johnson

Garfinkel

et al. 2016

Biological Conservation

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QUANTIFYING PEST CONTROL SERVICES BY BIRDS AND ANTS IN KENYAN COFFEE FARMS Megan MilliganEcosystem services, such as pest control and pollination, are critical benefits of biodiversity necessary for agricultural production. Predators, including insectivorous birds and ants, can provide important biological controls in agroecosystems, boosting crop yield and helping to offset the need for expensive inputs such as pesticides. With agricultural demand projected to increase in the future, two broad management strategies, termed land sparing and land sharing, have been proposed to conserve biodiversity while still meeting increased agricultural demand. Understanding the related impacts of habitat and landscape characteristics on the delivery of ecosystem services can better inform managers seeking to promote these benefits of biodiversity. In order to better understand these relationships, I conducted a sentinel pest experiment to investigate predation levels in response to a novel pest on coffee farms in central Kenya. The frequency of predation decreased significantly with increasing distance from adjacent forest fragments and was correlated with bird species richness. Predation was also significantly higher on shade compared to sun coffee farms. The mechanism through which the bird and ant communities are effecting pest removal is less clear, but encouraging particular preferential predators could positively influence pest control. In conclusion, a land sharing approach, via both the integration of shade trees and the conservation of small ii forest fragments within a farm, can support increased levels of pest control services provided by both birds and ants in Kenyan coffee farms.iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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“…Some parasites are able to lure the ants by chemical mimicry of their attended aphids (Liepert & Dettner 1993). Most of the dominant ants that tend 'Homoptera' are also generalist predators and have a strong effect on the different strata of the biota (Way & Khoo 1992). Furthermore, these ants interact between themselves for territory and resources (including sap-sucking insects) (Majer 1993).…”

Section: Delabiementioning

confidence: 99%

Trophobiosis Between Formicidae and Hemiptera (Sternorrhyncha and Auchenorrhyncha): an Overview

Delabie¹

2001

Neotrop. Entomol.

250

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Trofobiose Entre Formicidae e Hemiptera (Sternorrhyncha e Auchenorrhyncha):Uma Visão Geral RESUMO -Fêz-se uma revisão sobre a relação conhecida como trofobiose e que ocorre de forma convergente entre formigas e diferentes grupos de Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha e Auchenorrhyncha (até então conhecidos como 'Homoptera'). As principais características dos 'Homoptera' e dos Formicidae que favorecem as interações trofobióticas, tais como a excreção de honeydew por insetos sugadores, atendimento por formigas e necessidades fisiológicas dos dois grupos de insetos, são discutidas. Aspectos da sua evolução convergente são apresentados. O sistema mais arcaico não é exatamente trofobiótico, as forrageadoras coletam o honeydew despejado ao acaso na folhagem por indivíduos ou grupos de 'Homoptera' não associados. As relações trofobióticas mais comuns são facultativas, no entanto, esta forma de mutualismo é extremamente diversificada e é responsável por numerosas adaptações fisiológicas, morfológicas ou comportamentais entre os 'Homoptera', em particular Sternorrhyncha. As trofobioses mais diferenciadas são verdadeiras simbioses onde as adaptações mais extremas são observadas do lado dos 'Homoptera'. Ao mesmo tempo, as formigas mostram adaptações comportamentais que resultam de um longo período de coevolução. Considerando-se os insetos sugadores como principais pragas dos cultivos em nível mundial, as implicações das relações trofobióticas são discutidas no contexto das comunidades de insetos em geral, focalizando os problemas que geram em Manejo Integrado de Pragas (MIP), em particular. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Relações insetos/insetos, relações plantas/insetos, mutualismo, coevolução.ABSTRACT -In this paper, the mutualistic relationship known as trophobiosis, which occurs convergently between ants and several groups of Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha and Auchenorrhyncha (formerly 'Homoptera') is reviewed. The main characteristics of 'Homoptera' and Formicidae which favor trophobiotic interactions, such as honeydew excretion by sapsucking insects, ant attendance and physiological needs of both insects groups, are discussed. Aspects of the convergent evolution are presented. The most archaic system is not trophobiotic per se, foragers collect the honeydew casually expelled on the foliage by individuals or groups of non-associated 'Homoptera'. The commonest trophobiotic relationships are facultative; therefore, this form of mutualism is extremely diversified and is responsible for a range of physiological, morphological and behavioral adaptations by the 'Homoptera', mainly Sternorrhyncha. The more differentiated trophobioses are true symbioses where the most extreme changes can be observed on the 'Homoptera' side. Meanwhile, the ants show mainly behavioral adaptations resulting from a long coevolutive process. Considering the situation of sap-sucking insects as main crop pests worldwide, implications of trophobiotic relationships are discussed in the context of insect communities, in general, and on the problems that imply to Integrated Pest Manage...

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Role of Ants in Pest Management

Cited by 420 publications

References 98 publications

Soil macrofauna density and diversity across a chronosequence of tropical forest restoration in Southeastern Brazil

Soil macrofauna density and diversity across a chronosequence of tropical forest restoration in Southeastern Brazil

Quantifying pest control services by birds and ants in Kenyan coffee farms

Trophobiosis Between Formicidae and Hemiptera (Sternorrhyncha and Auchenorrhyncha): an Overview

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