Aspectos da Biologia de Acromyrmex (Acromyrmex) coronatus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Attini)
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Data
2017-06-26
Autores
Chaves-da-Costa, Ricardo Cézar Siqueira [UNESP]
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Editor
Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
Resumo
As formigas cortadeiras pertencem à tribo Attini e merecem destaque os gêneros Atta e Acromyrmex. O gênero Acromyrmex ocorre, predominantemente, na Região Neotropical e apresenta populações e ninhos menores que Atta, no entanto, não é menos importante quando tratado como praga. O conhecimento da biologia populacional e da estrutura do ninho desses insetos pode ajudar a compreender seu nicho ecológico para posterior aplicação de novas técnicas de controle, visando práticas que não prejudiquem o ambiente e nem comprometam a existência da espécie; além de servir como base para estudos ecológicos e comportamentais, proporcionando maior compreensão acerca da importância da espécie para o ambiente. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: a análise morfométrica em operárias forrageadoras e do número de subcastas, através de medições realizadas nas formigas, divididas em três classes de tamanho (pequena, média e grande); o conhecimento do tipo de material vegetal coletado, por meio de observações do material carregado pelas operárias forrageadoras; além de caracterizar a arquitetura externa de ninhos, considerando as dimensões, por meio de medições do comprimento, profundidade e altura e seus locais de instalação. Os resultados mostraram que, de acordo com o método empregado, há três classes de tamanhos de operárias forrageadoras. Durante o forrageamento, deixam trilhas físicas bem visíveis e dentre o material vegetal coletado, observou-se a preferência por fragmentos de dicotiledôneas. A nidificação ocorre, preferencialmente, em árvores, entre os galhos do primeiro nó, mas ocorre também no solo entre as raízes; e tanto os ninhos no solo quanto os arbóreos podem comprometer a integridade das árvores.
Leaf-cutting ants belong to the Attini tribe and the genus Atta and Acromyrmex stand out. The genus Acromyrmex occurs predominantly in the Neotropical Region and presents populations and nests smaller than Atta, however, is not less important when treated as a pest. The knowledge of the population biology and nest structure of these insects can help to understand their ecological niche for later application of new control techniques, aiming at practices that neither harm the environment nor compromise the existence of the species; As well as serve as a basis for ecological and behavioral studies, providing greater understanding of the importance of the species to the environment. The objective of this study was: morphometric analysis of foraging workers and the number of subcastes, through measurements of the ants, divided into three size classes (small, medium and large); The knowledge of the type of plant material collected, through observations of the material carried by the foraging workers; Besides characterizing the external architecture of nests, considering the dimensions, through measurements of the length, depth and height and their places of installation. The results showed that, according to the method used, there are three classes of forage worker sizes. During the foraging, physical trails leave very visible and of the collected plant material, it was observed the preference for fragments of dicotyledons. The nesting occurs, preferably, in trees, between the branches of the first node, but also occurs in the soil between the roots; And both soil and tree nests can compromise tree integrity.
Leaf-cutting ants belong to the Attini tribe and the genus Atta and Acromyrmex stand out. The genus Acromyrmex occurs predominantly in the Neotropical Region and presents populations and nests smaller than Atta, however, is not less important when treated as a pest. The knowledge of the population biology and nest structure of these insects can help to understand their ecological niche for later application of new control techniques, aiming at practices that neither harm the environment nor compromise the existence of the species; As well as serve as a basis for ecological and behavioral studies, providing greater understanding of the importance of the species to the environment. The objective of this study was: morphometric analysis of foraging workers and the number of subcastes, through measurements of the ants, divided into three size classes (small, medium and large); The knowledge of the type of plant material collected, through observations of the material carried by the foraging workers; Besides characterizing the external architecture of nests, considering the dimensions, through measurements of the length, depth and height and their places of installation. The results showed that, according to the method used, there are three classes of forage worker sizes. During the foraging, physical trails leave very visible and of the collected plant material, it was observed the preference for fragments of dicotyledons. The nesting occurs, preferably, in trees, between the branches of the first node, but also occurs in the soil between the roots; And both soil and tree nests can compromise tree integrity.
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Palavras-chave
Attini, Formigas-cortadeiras, Acromyrmex, Operárias forrageadoras, Arquitetura de ninho, Leaf-cutting ants, Forage workers, Nest architecture