Abstract
The authors report a massive attack by Pseudomyrmex ants on a human who touched a Triplaria - novice tree (Triplaris spp). The ants naturally live in these trees and their stings cause intense pain and discrete to moderate local inflammation. The problem is common in some Brazilian regions and can be prevented by identifying the trees.
Highlights
RESUMO É descrito um ataque maciço de formigas do gênero Pseudomyrmex a um humano que tocou uma árvore-de-novato (Triplaris spp)
Numerous descriptions exist of Azteca genus ants living in Cecropia trees in South American countries, including Colombia, Costa Rica and Brazil: the Cecropia tree and Azteca ant relationship is one of the most conspicuous of all ant-plant associations in Costa Rica
The hollow tree trunk and the production of food bodies rich in glycogen, attract the Azteca ants onto the Cecropia trees
Summary
RESUMO É descrito um ataque maciço de formigas do gênero Pseudomyrmex a um humano que tocou uma árvore-de-novato (Triplaris spp). One of the more interesting associations between animals and plants is the symbiosis between various tree genera and ants of the Pseudomyrmex and Azteca genera. This kind of relationship is not rare in nature: many ant species can live in hollow trunks and branches of trees, protecting the plant and using the place as secure cover[12]. In Brazil, groups of trees can be found that have ants living in inside them: the embauba (hollow tree in the Brazilian Indian language) is a popular name for the very common Cecropia tree.
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