Evaluation of an artificial diet for the survival of workers in laboratory of Acromyrmex lobicornis Emery (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Cutting ants are social insects comprising two genera Atta and Acromyrmex (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae). They have the habit of cutting and transporting fragments of various vegetables, flowers and / or seeds to their underground nests. These habits have become pests of cultivated areas and natural pastures of South America, Central and North, especially eucalyptus and pine forest plantations because they cause damage to the productivity of plants. For their control are used agrochemicals and is currently initiating the study of plant extracts with insecticidal properties, which must be pre-tested. Therefore, the objective of this work was to obtain an artificial diet that meets the metabolic requirements of ants A. lobicornis E. in the laboratory, and ensure their survival while they last bioassays. Various diets ants were tested and concluded that SOL 24, LIQ 24, LIQ 48, 24 and SOL SOL 48 diets are suitable for the survival of A. lobicornis workers during toxicity bioassays

Cutting ants, diets, survival, Argentina