Effect of weeds control and nitrogenade fertilization on the mad ant population Paratrechina fulva (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

On the Valley of Suárez River (Santander), the association between P. fulva with sucker bug has caused losses up to 3.000 millions pesos in the panelera production. This situation conduced some producers to make wrong handling of crops. raising the negative effects of the ant. The purpose of this research was to establish the P. fulva workers populational fluctuation under the effect of nitrogenade fertilization and low and intensive weed control in panelera cane crops. during 18 th month. Besides, the ant population was tracked in low-disturbed vegetation areas. Finally, the sucker bugs associated with the ant were estimated and the sample methodologies of the P. fulva populations were compared. To estímate the P. fulva populations, pitfall traps with a bait (Frankfurter) were used. The infestation percentage of Saccharicoccus seccheri, Sipha flava, Melanaphis sacchari y Pulvinaria sp. was evaluated according to the location of species in the cane plant. It was determined that nitrogenade fertilization didn't influence in the fluctuation form of P. fulva population. At the same time, a higher abundance of the ant was determined under intensive weed control rather than the low weed control. In relation with sucker bugs evaluated, S. sacchari, established a mutualism relationship with P. fulva, and finally, both sample methods reflected a similar populational fluctuation of P. fulva. These results contributed to the knowledge of environmental and ecological processes, which influence the P. fulva population, and can be considered in a management proposal of the bug.