Leaf-cutting ant

Taxonomic position: Acromyrmex lobicornis belongs to the order Hymenoptera, the family Formicidae, and the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is a member of the Attini tribe, a group of ants characterized by their obligate mutualism with specific fungi species they cultivate for food.

Crops damaged: These ants are polyphagous pests. They cause significant damage to a wide range of agricultural crops including grains, vegetables, legumes, and various fruit trees. In their native habitats, they also heavily impact pasture grasses and forest seedlings, often leading to total foliage loss.

Biology and life cycle: The colony life revolves around a complex social structure focused on fungus farming. The queen establishes a nest, bringing a starter fungus culture. Workers forage for fresh leaf fragments, which they transport to the nest, process into a substrate, and use to nourish the fungus garden, which acts as the sole food source for the colony larvae.

Nature of damage and harmfulness: The primary harmful effect is extensive defoliation. A colony can strip entire saplings or large sections of a field of their leaves in a very short time. This massive loss of leaf area severely impairs plant photosynthesis, stunts growth, significantly reduces yields, and often causes the mortality of young or sensitive agricultural plants.

• Application of slow-acting toxic baits that are brought deep into the nest.
• Implementation of physical barriers on sensitive crop stems.
• Biological control methods targeting the fungus garden integrity.
• Regular field scouting to locate nests before colony populations peak.