Herbivory by Atta vollenweideri: Reviewing the significance of grass-cutting ants as a pest of livestock.

ABSTRACT: The grass-cutting ant Atta vollenweideri is well suited for studies examining the negative effect leaf-cutting ants have on livestock production in South American grasslands because they forage on the same plants as cattle. This study investigated the impact of A. vollenweideri on livestock production in Argentinean rangelands. First, we assessed A. vollenweideri herbivory rates and its economic injury level (EIL). Second, using satellite imagery in a region covering 15,000 ha, we estimated the percentage of this area that surpassed the calculated EIL. Results showed that A. vollenweideri consumed approximately 276 kg of dry plant weight/ha/year, foraging mostly on grasses (70%). Additionally, ants cut 25% of herbs and 5% of trees. In summer and autumn, ants con

SUBMITTER: Sabattini J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10926485 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature