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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Do pygidial secretions of dung beetles have the potential to repel urban pest ants?

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Author(s):
Carvalho, R. [1] ; Ferreira Chaline, S. [2, 3] ; Audino, L. D. [4] ; Louzada, J. [4] ; Chaline, N. [3]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, BR-38408100 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Dept Biol, BR-29500000 Alegre, ES - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Psicol, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Lavras, Dept Biol, BR-37200000 Lavras, MG - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata; v. 166, n. 7, p. 517-527, JUL 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Various organisms emit malodorous secretions against competitors, and the potential use of these secretions in pest management should be investigated. For example, some ant species feed on similar resources as dung beetles, which might have led to counter chemical defences in dung beetles. We tested whether pygidial secretions of the dung beetle Canthon smaragdulus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) alter the locomotor behaviour of the exotic urban pest ant Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera Formicidae), specifically whether these secretions repel those ants. We also tested whether the disturbance in the locomotor behaviour of T. melanocephalum increases with the amount of pygidial secretion. We found that individual T. melanocephalum displayed changes in their locomotor behaviour when exposed to pygidial secretions of coupled dung beetles, single males, and single females. Additionally, the pygidial secretions from male and female dung beetles could repel ants. The change in the locomotor behaviour of T. melanocephalum increased with the amount of pygidial secretion. Our results suggest that the pygidial secretions of dung beetles have potential as a biological repellent of T. melanocephalum. Hence, pygidial secretions from dung beetles may be used in the future for the development of urban pest management strategies. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 16/23681-1 - Support plan for the maintenance and improvement of the collective infrastructure to support research: data network, wireless and internationalization of IPUSP scientific production
Grantee:Marilene Proença Rebello de Souza
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Technical Reserve for Institutional Research Infrastructure