Native leaf-cutter ants as a possible biocontrol agent of pinaceae invasion in Patagonia, Argentina

DIMARCO ROMINA D.; CORLEY, JUAN C.; FARJI-BRENER, ALEJANDRO G.; NASSINI, DANIELA; NUÑEZ, MARTIN A.

Conferencia; British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2019; 2019

Pine invasions are a growing problem in the southern hemisphere. Given their negative effects on tree plantations, herbivory by the native leaf-cutter ant Acromyrmex lobicornis could act as a control of Pinaceae in early stages of invasion. Here we evaluated the foraging preference of A. lobicornis for the most planted conifers in Patagonia. We also studied if the foraging preference is related to mechanical and chemical defenses. We performed an experiment offering seedlings of one native and three nonnative conifers. In 11 days, ants consumed most of the seedlings offered, preferring nonnative seedlings. Chemical defenses (leaf resin, monoterpene content) explained partially the foraging preference. We didn?t find significant effects of mechanical defenses. These results suggest that A. lobicornis could contribute in Patagonia to the control of Pinaceae. Also, information on chemical defenses of these conifers could be use to select species or varieties that are more defended and less invasive.