Caracterização de ninhos de Acromyrmex laticeps nigrosetosus Forel, em povoamento de eucalipto em Paraopeba, MG

Abstract

*[The nesting habits of the leaf-cutter ant Acromyrmex laticeps nigrosetosus Forel were studied in areas under Eucalyptus plantations in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A total of 12 nests were killed with methyl bromide & talcum was injected into entrance holes with a small air pump to mark the underground chambers & channels. In general, these nests presented a single chamber with average dimensions of 0.28 m length x 0.23 m wide x 0.19 m high, located just below the soil surface, 0.11 m. Chambers were connected to the soil surface by 2-5 channels which opened at the surface. Externally they were covered by a large amount of dry leaves & in their early stage presented a mound of loose soil. The total nest population was, on average, 12,231 individuals.]