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Formicidal activity of indole derivatives on Atta opaciceps (Borgmeier): Lethal, behavioural and locomotive effects
Author(s) -
Costa Ângela C. F.,
Cavalcanti Sócrates C. H.,
Santana Alisson S.,
Lima Ana P. S.,
Santana Emile D. R.,
Brito Thaysnara B.,
Oliveira Rafael R. B.,
Macêdo Nathália A.,
Cristaldo Paulo F.,
Bacci Leandro
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/jen.12569
Subject(s) - atta , biology , indole test , fire ant , agricultural pest , ant , toxicology , botany , hymenoptera , ecology , biochemistry , agricultural science
Abstract The leaf‐cutting ants of the genus Atta are of extreme importance for agriculture and forestry. Few active products can be employed to control these pests and, therefore, the discovery of new insecticidal products represents a fundamental strategy for its management. In this study, we evaluated the mortality, behaviour and locomotion of workers of Atta opaciceps (Borgmeier) exposed to synthesized indole derivatives. The most active compound was 4d [1‐(1 H ‐indol‐3‐yl)pentan‐1‐one] (LD 50 = 0.018 μg/mg), while the 4e [1‐(1 H ‐indol‐3‐yl)hexan‐1‐one] (LD 50 = 3.82 μg/mg) was the least active compound. These two derivatives reduced the survival of A. opaciceps over time and altered the behaviour and locomotion of these ants. This study demonstrates the potential of indole derivatives to produce new formicidal products, since, in addition to being effective, it also affects the ant's behaviour and locomotion.