Seasonal Activity and Foraging Preferences of the Leaf-Cutting Ant Atta sexdens piriventris (Santschi) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Leaf-cutting ants are known for their habit of foraging. These habits can be influenced by several factors, including variations in topography, soil, and climate among others. The objective of this research was to study the seasonal activity and foraging preferences of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens piriventris (Santschi). The study was carried out from January to October of 2007 in grasslands of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Nests of A. sexdens piriventris were randomly selected and the forager's activities were recorded. Damaged plant species, soil fertility, and climatic conditions were recorded. The maximum foraging activity in the summer was recorded during periods of darkness or low light (between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.). In autumn and spring, foraging was the highest in the morning, but during winter time the foraging activity was high in the afternoon. Fourteen plant species were frequently visited during our study with the lowest foraging activity being recorded at very low (1 to 4°C) or very high temperatures (above 26°C). The number of exploited plant species was higher in winter (13) than in summer (9). Baccharis trimera (Asteraceae) (43%) and Paspalum spp. (Poaceae) (33%) were the most exploited plants among the identified species.

Foraging activity of leaf‐cutter ants is affected by barometric pressure

“…It is not known if A. sexdens workers are able to detect the pressure increase or if they are simply not stimulated to change their foraging behavior in response to this increase. Nevertheless, the habit of this species to forage during almost the entire day and collect leaves even in the driest periods (Fowler & Robinson, ; Giesel, Boff, & Boff, ) would explain the absence of restrictions when they face rising pressure and possible higher solar intensity.…”

“…In all social insects, foraging is highly influenced by the environment, mainly climate variations (Corbet et al, ; Cornelius & Osbrink, ; Kasper, Reeson, Mackay, & Austin, ; Segev, Tielboerger, Lubin, & Kigel, ). Most studies of ant foraging traits have examined the effect of temperature and/or humidity (Giesel, Boff, & Boff, ; Lewis, Pollard, & Dibley, ; Segev et al, ). However, barometric pressure, another abiotic factor that appears to substantially affect insect behavior (Pellegrino et al, ), is usually neglected.…”

An organic bait based on Palicourea marcgravii (Rubiaceae) and Tephrosia candida (Fabaceae) does not control nests of Atta laevigata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in eucalyptus plantations

“…Abiotic factors such as air humidity, altitude, temperature and wind may also affect the carrying and rejection of these baits. The experiment was carried out in the driest and coldest periods of the year (between June and November) and lower temperatures may decrease the foraging by these ants (Viana et al, 2004;Giesel et al, 2013;Tizón et al, 2014). Bioisca® has P. marcgravii and T. candida as active ingredients.…”

Ocorrência de formigas cortadeiras em campos de altitude no sul do Brasil

“…The epidemic proliferation of insects is directly related to symptoms of environmental imbalances existing in the agro-ecosystem (Gliessman, 2000). One example is the leaf-cutting ants that, in a condition of change in floristic composition, show themselves to be opportunistic insects increasing their behavioral activities causing damage to agriculture (Giesel et al, 2013). The dominance of leaf-cutting ants, A. sexdens piriventris and Ac.…”

“…According to Mehdiabadi and Schultz (2010) the leaf-cutting ants are widely adapted to various environments, ranging from native forests to areas of intensive agricultural use. Studies on the leaf-cutter ants show that there are differences in the behavior between genera, species and even within the ant species itself, located in different environments (Giesel et al, 2013). The geographical distribution of leaf-cutter ant species can be influenced by several factors, from the soil and climate characteristics of a region to the availability of plants in a given location (Meyer et al, 2006).…”