Pachycondyla obscuricornis as natural enemy of the spittlebug Deois flavopicta

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential control of the ant Pachycondyla obscuricornis Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on populations of nymphs of the spittlebug, Deois flavopicta Stal (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). Foraging behavior and prey consumption rate of P. obscuricornis were evaluated. Field data revealed that P. obscuricornis does not show aggressive behavior against individuals of the same species, when they are not carrying a prey; they can patrol distances larger than 10 m searching for prey, and they can build their nest as close as 1 m from each other. The ant has a solitary patrolling habit, there is no recruitment behavior, and individuals dislocate fast, browsing on soil and vegetation for prey. Predation rate on spittlebug nymphs increased relative to the spittlebug abundance, reaching 93.8% of captured prey. Pachycondyla obscuricornis is a voracious predator and may control the population of spittlebugs in cultivated pastures.