Preliminary investigations on the selection of citrus species by the leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) (Formicidae, Attini)

Authors

  • Gene V. Pollard Department of Biological Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad
  • Robert Riley Department of Biological Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad
  • Errol Wattle Department of Biological Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad

Keywords:

Citrus, Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich), Leaves

Abstract

Eight citrus cultivars were tested for selective preference by the leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex octospinosus, in the laboratory. Measurements of pick-up rates and contacts per pick-up of leaf discs fed to the ants indicated that 'Portugal' (Citrus reticulata) was the least readily selected whereas 'Valencia' orange (C. sinensis) and 'Marsh' grapefruit (C. paradisi) were the most readily selected of the cultivars tested.

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How to Cite

Pollard, G. V., Riley, R., & Wattle, E. (1983). Preliminary investigations on the selection of citrus species by the leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) (Formicidae, Attini). Tropical Agriculture, 60(4). Retrieved from https://journals.sta.uwi.edu/ojs/index.php/ta/article/view/2437

Issue

Volume 60 Number 4

Section

Research Papers