Predatory and interaction behaviors of Paratrechina fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)SCIENTIFIC on phytophagous COMMUNICATION on palm trees. 143

PREDATORY AND INTERACTION BEHAVIORS OF PARATRECHINA FULVA (MAYR) (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) ON PHYTOPHAGOUS INSECTS ON PALM TREES

A.E. de C. Campos-Farinha & F.J. Zorzenon

Instituto Biológico, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Sanidade Vegetal, Av. Cons. Rodrigues Alves, 1252, CEP 04014-002, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Paratrechina fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was observed tending brasiliensis, Hempel (: ) on Australian Royal Palm and scales (Hemiptera: Pseudoccidae) on Chinese Windmill Palm. In both cases first stage nymphs were recorded being carried by ant workers. Young scales were seen taken into the ant nest. Predation on sophorae (Linnaeus) (: ) pupae was also recorded. The several larval stages are not predated probably due to the great amount of thin hairs dispersed on larva integument.

KEY WORDS: Biological control, , Pseudoccidae, Brassolis sophorae.

RESUMO

COMPORTAMENTO DE PREDAÇÃO E INTERAÇÃO DE PARATRECHINA FULVA (MAYR) (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) COM INSETOS FITÓFAGOS DE PALMEIRAS. Paratrechina fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) foi observada associando-se com Cerataphis brasiliensis, Hempel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) em Palmeira Real e com cochonilhas (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em Palmeira Moinho de Vento. Foram observadas operárias da formiga carregando ninfas de primeiro ínstar das duas espécies de insetos sugadores. Estágios imaturos da espécie de cochonilha foram observados sendo levados para dentro do ninho de P. fulva Neste trabalho relata-se, ainda, a predação de pupas de Brassolis sophorae (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) pelas formigas. Os estágios larvais do lepidóptero não são predados devido a grande quantidade de cerdas dispersas no integumento das lagartas.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Controle biológico, Cerataphis brasiliensis, Pseudoccidae, Brassolis sophorae.

There are a number of economically important ant mainly under pavements associated to grass, in cracks species in Brazil, the most significant of which are the and bricks in walls and other structura failures. leaf cutter ants (MARICONI, 1970, AMANTE, 1972, DELLA However, few studies have been conducted to LUCIA, 1993) and the tramp species (BUENO & CAMPOS- understand its behavior with other . FARINHA, 1999). The latter are characterized by the This ant species has been introduced in Colombia following characteristics: polygyny, unicoloniality, to control poisonous snakes and leaf-cutting ants reproduction by budding, wide dispersion throughout (ZENNER POLANIA, 1990, 1994). Publications in the 1940s the world by human commerce, and living in reported that this ant was negatively associated with association with humans (HÖLLDOBLER & WILSON, leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta, and that it effectively 1990). Because of the damage they do to the controlled their colonies (SOARES-BRANDÃO, 1941). environment and crop production, and the danger However, when P. fulva was introduced into Colombia they pose to human health, these ants warrant the it became a serious pest in orchards, due to association term pest ant (PASSERA, 1994). with coccids. It also became a nuisance pest in Paratrechina fulva (Mayr), commonly called crazy households, coffee plantations and cattle ranches. ant, received its nickname because of its frenzied, Despite its popularity, its controlling effects on Atta apparently random movements. In Portuguese it is spp. are unproven (MARICONI, 1970). called “formiga cuiabana” (COSTA LIMA, 1936; Large populations of P. fulva have been recorded MARICONI, 1970). P. fulva is a household pest in southern in a greenhouse at the Instituto Biológico (São Paulo, Brazil, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Rio de Janeiro Brazil), where palm species are cultivated. The (MARICONI, 1970). Extremely large populations have research presented here is a review of P. fulva behavior been observed in several counties. They are found against and with other species on palm

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species, and considers the question of whether this with aphids and scales. It is often considered a tramp ant can be economically beneficial. ant that is more injurious than beneficial, and must be P. fulva workers were observed interacting with controlled. For the other palm pests other management Cerataphis brasiliensis Hempel aphids on Australian and control must be used. Royal Palm, Archontophoenix alenxadrae (F. Mueller). Early stages of nymphs were observed being moved by the ants, and this may result in dispersion ACKNOWLEDGMENTS of the aphid to healthy plants. The same behavior has been recorded with Pseudococcidae on fruits and We thank W. Robinson for comments on the floral peduncle of the Chinese Windmill Palm, manuscript and for improving the English. Trachycarpus fortunei (W.J. Hooker). In this case the scales were taken into the ant nest to be attended. The Australian Royal Palm is an exotic species REFERENCES largely used in landscaping projects that has been cultivated in the south of Brazil for palm cabbage AMANTE, E. Preliminary observations on the swarming extraction. C. brasiliensis can cause severe injury to the behaviour of the leaf-cutting ant, Atta capiguara (Hymenoptera: Formicidae ., v.7, palm leaves of A.alexandrae, although few studies have ). J. Ga. Entomol. Soc p.82-83, 1972. been conducted to evaluate the pest status of this . BUENO, O.C. & CAMPOS-FARINHA, A.E.C. As formigas domés- The association with P. fulva may be beneficial for both ticas. In: MARICONI, F.A.M. (Ed.). Insetos e outros invaso- the aphid and the ant species, since ant and Hemiptera res de residências. Piracicaba: FEALQ, 1999. p.135-180. association are well documented ( HANKS & SADOF, 1990; COSTA LIMA, A. Terceiro catálogo dos insetos que vivem nas HOPKINS & T HACKER, 1999; O FFENBERG, 2000). The Chinese plantas do Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Ministério da Agricul- Windmill Palm also has been used in landscaping, but tura, Depto. Produção Vegetal, Escola Nacional de it is less widespread than the Australian Royal Palm in Agronomia, 1936. 381p. Brazil. Pseudococcidae infestations were extremely large DELLA LUCIA, T.M.C. (Ed.). As formigas cortadeiras. Viçosa: on fruits and floral peduncles taken into the greenhouse. Editora Folha de Viçosa, 1993. 262p. A large number of P. fulva ant workers were attracted to HANKS, L.M. & SADOF, C.S. The effect of ants on nymphal these insects, and in a few hours carried nymphs to a survivorship of Coccus viridis (Homoptera: Coccidae). v.22, p.210-213, 1990. moister place and then to their mounds. They were Biotropica, HOLLDOBLER, B. & WILSON, E.O. The ants. Berlin: Springer- observed for a few days tending the scales and after 5 Verlag, 1990. 732p. days all of them were consumed. Ants gain much HOPKINS, G.W. & THACKER, J.I. Ants and habitat specificity in nutrition from their relationships with aphids and scales; aphids. J. Insect Conserv. v.3, p.25-31, 1999. the honeydew excreted by such insects can be a complete MARICONI, F.A.M. As saúvas. São Paulo: Editora Agronômi- source of food. ca Ceres, 1970. 167p. B. sophorae is a serious pest of several palm species OFFENBERG, J. Correlated evolution of the association between in Brazil. Larvae injure the leaves, and, when ready to aphids and ants and the association between aphids pupate, they walk through the host plant and adjacent and plants with extrafloral nectaries. Oikos, v.91, n.1, areas. Pupae are formed on walls, ceilings and other p.146-152, 2000. household substrates when palm trees are in urban PASSERA, L. Characteristics of the tramp species. In: WILLIAMS, D.F. (Ed.). Exotic ants. Biology, impact, and control of environments. Predation by P. fulva on Brassolis introduced species. Boulder: Westview Press, 1994. sophorae (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) p.23-43. pupae was also observed. Life stages of this SOARES-BRANDÃO, J.S. A formiga cuiabana “versus” saúva. lepidopteran were confined in a cage in the same Sítios e Fazendas, v.6, p.36-38, 1941. greenhouse. Scale insects and aphids were observed ZENNER-POLANIA, I. Biological aspects of the ‘’Hormiga associated with the ants. Ant workers were observed Loca,’’ Paratrechina (Nylanderia) fulva (Mayr), in biting intersegment membranes of the pupae, and Colombia. In: VANDER M EER, R.K.; JAFFE, K.; C EDENO, A. entering the insect pupal case and taking away its (Eds.). Applied Myrmecology, a World Perspective. contents. Ant workers did not attack B. sophorae larvae. Boulder: Westview Press, 1990. p.290-297. They were not observed walking on the larvae due to ZENNER-POLANIA, I. Impact of Paratrechina fulva on other ant the thin pilosity that covers the integument. No species. In: WILLIAM, D.F. (Ed.). Exotic ants. Biology, . Boulder: evidence of ant defense such as hairs or setae was seen impact, and control of introduced species Westview Press, 1994. p. 120-131. on the pupae. Again, the pest status of P. fulva is controversal. P. fulva acts as a beneficial species, as in the control Received on 28/2/05 of B. sophorae, and as an indirect pest when associated Accepted on 31/3/05

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