Leaf-cutter ants (Atta spp. and Acromyrmex spp.) use fresh vegetation to cultivate the fungus they eat. In forestry, leaf-cutter ants are the most significant pest in pine and eucalyptus plantations, because of the damage they cause and their broad range. Forestry companies have created teams specifically to combat this pest, mainly using granulated ant baits. The most commonly used insecticides are fipronil and sulfluramid. These compounds remain in the environment for a long time and can pollute soil and bodies of water, and may also be toxic to non-target species. This asset provides information on how to use as little bait granules as possible by considering factors such as the species of planted trees and the species of leaf-cutter ants found in the plantation, as well as planting season and the type of management adopted in the area. Leaf-cutter ants cannot be controlled in a standardized manner, since each site is unique. Based on this information, recommendations have been proposed for control of leaf-cutter ants in eucalyptus and pine plantations that consider the different factors.

This technological solution was developed by Embrapa in partnership with other institution(s).