@article{MONTOYA-LERMA_CHACÓN DE ULLOA_ROSARIO MANZANO_2006, title={Characterization of the nests of the leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) in Cali (Colombia)}, volume={32}, url={https://revistacolombianaentomologia.univalle.edu.co/index.php/SOCOLEN/article/view/9383}, DOI={10.25100/socolen.v32i2.9383}, abstractNote={<p>The proportion of green zones with the presence of nests and the level of infestation of the leaf-cutting ant, Atta cephalotes, were determined in three urban areas of Cali. Between March and April 2002, a total of 143 green zones was evaluated, consisting of parks, traffic islands, verges and other open spaces occupying a total of 1.276.131 m2. The highest proportion (89%) of the green areas had low/medium infestations, i.e. less than half of the area was occupied by ant nests. The remainder (11%) showed high infestations, with more than half of the area colonized by leaf-cutting ants. Most (68%) of the nests were found on naturally level terrain, followed by steep terrain such as verges (27%) and some nests located near human dwellings. Area of the nests ranged from 1-211 m2. A direct correlation was found between the number of quadrants needed to enclose 50% of the nest entrances and the total nest area (r= 0, 70). Based on this methodology, it is possible to carry out a rapid and reliable estimate of the degree of infestation of areas affected by leaf-cutting ants as a preventive measure for their control or management.</p>}, number={2}, journal={Revista Colombiana de Entomología}, author={MONTOYA-LERMA, JAMES and CHACÓN DE ULLOA, PATRICIA and ROSARIO MANZANO, MARIA DEL}, year={2006}, month={Dec.}, pages={151–158} }