Composting to control the leaf-cutting ant atta cephalotes l. (hymenoptera: formicidae)

Leaf-cutting ants, Atta and Acromyrmex , are the most important defoliating herbivores in the tropics. In this study, field assays were conducted to compare the effects of two non chemical methods on survival and activity of Atta cephalotes (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) nests. A total of 83 A. cephalotes active nests were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) compostable material introduced and processed into the soil of ant nests; 2) conventional mechanical mixing of the ant nests soil; 3) untreated ant nests. After three months the percentages of dead nets were 26.5, 9.63 and 3.61 using manure compost, mechanical, and control, respectively. A repeated measurement analysis of variance showed significant difference between ant colonies for both treatments, composted and mechanical mixing, with respect to the untreated treatment, given the disruption of foraging trails, mound openings, chambers and tunnels. The strongest effect was observed with the compostable material. Based on its effect on A. cephalotes (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) nests and potential soil enrichment, compostable treatment could be a sustainable and ecologically sound management practice if proper conditions are given at the site.