Abstract
The leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) causes serious damage to crops and protected areas due to its foraging activity. The main method of control of this species consists of the use of synthetic insecticides that can lead to environmental damage and negative side effects on human health. Consequently, alternative strategies, such as biopesticides, are needed. Insecticide evaluation by ingestion assays was performed using A. octospinosus in vitro bioassay and laboratory nests. Chemical analyses were also performed to know the contents of plant extracts. This study showed that Mammea americana L. is the most promising insecticidal plant extract in the control of A. octospinosus. Indeed, the lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC99) an the lethal dose (LD99) of the M. americana extract (51.31 mg.mL-1, 131.92 mg.mL-1, and 17.36 mg/g of ant respectively) were the closest to those of Fipronil, 0.03 g/kg, the commercial insecticide used as positive control.
Highlights
The synthetic pesticides used to manage insect pests cause damage to ecosystems, enhance resistance to insecticides in agricultural pests, adversely affect non-target organisms, cause environmental pollution, and have negative side effects on human health
The main method of control of this species consists of the use of synthetic insecticides that can lead to environmental damage and negative side effects on human health
This study showed that Mammea americana L. is the most promising insecticidal plant extract in the control of A. octospinosus
Summary
The synthetic pesticides used to manage insect pests cause damage to ecosystems, enhance resistance to insecticides in agricultural pests, adversely affect non-target organisms, cause environmental pollution, and have negative side effects on human health. These facts suggest a clear need for alternatives and have led to a renewed interest in biopesticides. A. octospinosus is native to South and Central America and exotic to Guadeloupe. This species was introduced in Guadeloupe in 1954 and progressively colonized the entire territory (Boulogne et al 2014). The 1995 cyclone favored ant invasion in natural areas where some plant species, such as the arborescent ferns
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