Abstract

Leaf-cutting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are one of the main pests found in the Americas and they cause global economic losses worth several billions of dollars. While pesticides have been the most widely used control method, new management alternatives in a context of agroecological transition are now being considered. This study focuses on the leaf-cutting ants species found in the pan-Amazon region. As part of efforts to improve management of these pests, this multi-criteria analysis of control strategies covers a total of 691 experiments collected from 153 studies, and the control were evaluated as a function of their management efficacy, environmental and human health impacts, and their ease of application. Chemical control methods were effective but posed a danger to human health and the environment, whereas mechanical methods and integrated management were more sustainable but not always very effective. Some of the biocontrol methods were evaluated as effective and safe for the environment and human health, including the use of entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv) Vuill. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokïn (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) in the form of bait or sprayed in the nest, or the application of plant mulch in the nest using Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray (Asterales: Asteraceae) or Canavalia ensiformis L. DC. (Fabales: Fabaceae). Because of variations in the efficacy data between laboratory and field tests, we are in favor of evaluating these control methods during field studies with different leaf-cutting ant species and under different environmental conditions. These methods should adopt experimental arrangements that are appropriate for local socioeconomic conditions adapted for farmers.

中文翻译：

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控制亚马逊切叶蚁（膜翅目：蚁科）：多标准分析

摘要

切叶蚁（膜翅目：蚁科）是在美洲发现的主要害虫之一，它们造成全球经济损失数十亿美元。尽管农药已成为最广泛使用的控制方法，但现在正在考虑在农业生态转型的背景下采用新的管理替代方法。这项研究的重点是在泛亚马逊地区发现的切叶蚁物种。作为改进这些有害生物管理工作的一部分，这种对控制策略的多标准分析涵盖了从153个研究中收集的691个实验，并且根据其管理效力，环境和人类健康影响以及它们易于应用。化学控制方法是有效的，但对人类健康和环境构成了威胁，机械方法和综合管理虽然更具可持续性，但并不总是很有效。一些生物防治方法被评估为对环境和人类健康有效且安全的方法，包括使用昆虫病原真菌球孢白僵菌（Bals.-Criv）Vuill。（Hypocreales：虫草科）和Metarhizium anisopliae（Metschn。）Sorokïn（Hypocreales：锁虫科）以诱饵的形式或喷在巢中，或使用Tithonia diversifolia（Hemsleys）A. Gray（Asterale）在巢中施用植物覆盖物菊科）或Canavalia ensiformis L. DC。（Fabales：豆科）。由于实验室和田间试验之间功效数据的差异，我们赞成在使用不同切叶蚁物种和在不同环境条件下进行田间研究期间评估这些控制方法。