Abstract
The toxicity of some common plant extracts towards workers of three species of Pheidole ants was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Methanolic extracts of nine plants indigenous in Egypt, were examined for their potential use as alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides. Extracts of the tubers of Allium sativum L., the seeds of Anethum graveolens L., Coriandrum sativum L., Trigonella foenum-graecum L and Nigella sativa L., flowers of Calndula officinalis L., and leaves of Mentha viridis L., Rosamarinus officinalis L and Eucalyptus citriodora Hook were tested in this way. Bioassays were performed on mature workers of three species of Pheidole ants; P. jordanica (Saulcy), P. laticeps (Mayr) and P. sinatica (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) also common in Egypt. All crude methanolic plant extracts exerted toxic effects on workers of the three Pheidole species. The crude methanolic extract of A. sativum was the most effective, as indicated by the highest percentage mortality of ant workers, followed by extracts of T. foenum-graecum, while crude extract of E. citriodora, showed the least activity. The results indicate the potential use of some of these plant extracts as a source of safe alternatives to insecticides.
Highlights
Ants are the dominant components of the terrestrial ecosystem throughout the world (Holway et al 2002; Mahalakshimi and Channaveerappa, 2016)
The results indicate the potential use of some of these plant extracts as a source of safe alternatives to insecticides
The nest sites of the three species used were characterized by specific vegetation cover of each species; i.e. nests of P. jordanica were found under a Acacia nilotica tree in the Farm of the Botany Department, El-Minia University, nests of P. laticeps were located under a Ficus nitida tree and P. sinatica were nested under a Delonix regia tree
Summary
Ants are the dominant components of the terrestrial ecosystem throughout the world (Holway et al 2002; Mahalakshimi and Channaveerappa, 2016). They are annoying pests, but they can invade houses; destroy electrical equipment, damage agricultural products and spoil stored foods, with resulting economic loss (Pimentel et al 2005; Chaudhari et al, 2013). The genus is widespread and ecologically dominant across the globe (Wilson, 2003; Presty and Karmaly, 2016) It probably includes more than a thousand species that form a serious threat through their potential impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, agricultural production or society. Many Pheidole species are ecologically important seed consumers having an impact on valued plant species in several arid and semi-arid ecosystems around the world (Whitford et al, 1981; Hölldobler and Wilson, 1990; Pirk et al, 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
