The size and effect of infestations of leaf-cutting ants (Attinae: Hym) in cocoa in Trinidad
The density of nests of Atta cephalotes and Acromyrmex octospinosus in fields of established cocoa and of young trees was compared. Where ants were controlled in bearing crops the mean density of Acromyrmex was 4.2 - 5.2 nests/acre, with an average of 2.2 holes/nest. In fields of young trees where ants remained unchecked, infestations as heavy as 62 nests/acre developed, and individual nests were larger, each with an average of 5.4 holes. In newly-planted fields the number of A. cephalotes slowly diminished and A. octospinosus replaced it. In established field Acromyrmex preferred flower buds to leaves, and ants from each active hold collected an estimated 144 buds daily, equivalent to about 1300 buds/day in lightly infested fields, or 48.000/day in heavily infested ones. On young trees, leaves were vulnerable to attack, and almost one third of all leaves in a newly planted field were damaged at any one time, representing approximately 20 - 25 percent loss of leaf area. Both species cut leaf fragments of similar size
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
St. Augustine (Trinidad y Tobago)
1972
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| Subjects: | THEOBROMA CACAO, FORMICIDAE, ATTA CEPHALOTES, ACROMYRMEX, ACROMYRMEX OCTOSPINOSUS, INSECTOS DAÑINOS, INFESTACION, TRINIDAD Y TOBAGO, |
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