Effects of leaves of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) on nest development and on respiratory metabolism of leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens L. (Hym., Formicidae) |
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| Authors: | M. J. A. Hebling O. C. Bueno P. S. Maroti F. C. Pagnocca O. A. da Silva |
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| Affiliation: | Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (C.E.I.S.), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP),Rio Claro, SP, Brazil. |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Abstract: Laboratory colonies of the leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens feed daily with leaves of Ipomoea batatas s howed ant mortality and a significant decrease in the size of the fungal garden after the second week, with complete depletion of nests after 5 weeks of treatment. The mean oxygen consumption rate of these ants was higher than the control (ants collected from nests feed with leaves of Eucalyptus alba ), suggesting a physiological action of the leaves of I. batatas on the ants in addition to the effect of inhibiting the growth of the fungal garden. |
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