Abstract

MONTOYA LERMA, JAMES; CHACON DE ULLOA, PATRICIA  and  ROSARIO MANZANO, MARIA. Characterization of the nest of the leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) in Cali (Colombia). Rev. Colomb. Entomol. [online]. 2006, vol.32, n.2, pp.151-158. ISSN 0120-0488.

Nest sizes and infestation levels of the leaf-cutting ant, Atta cephalotes , were determined in urban areas of Cali, Colombia. A total of 143 green areas, consisting of parks, traffic islands, verges and other open spaces occupying a total of 1.276.131 m² was evaluated in March-April 2002. The highest proportion (89%) of the green areas showed low/medium infestations, i.e., with ant nests occupying less than 50% of the green space. The remaining 11% showed high infestations, with nests occupying more than half of their areas. Most (68%) of the nests were found on level natural spaces, the next most common habitat type being steep areas such as verges (27%). Few nests were found near human dwellings. Areas of the nests ranged from 1-211 m². A direct correlation was found between number of quadrants needed to enclose 50% of the entrance of a nest and its total area (r= 0, 70). This methodology allows the level of infestation of areas affected by leaf-cutting ants to be estimated rapidly but accurately. This information would aid in setting up control or management programs for leaf-cutting ant infestations.

Keywords : Leaf-cutting ants; Infestation; Nest size; Urban entomology.

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