The effect of liquid pyroligneous on eucalyptus seedling cutting by Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was evaluated in field conditions in Olhos D'Água, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Seedlings of 45 days of age received concentrated fertilization and the pyroligneous extract by irrigation or immersion in different concentrations (0%, 0,1%; 0,2%; 0,5%; 1% or 2%). Treated seedlings were planted 10 cm from active trails of A. sexdens rubropilosa, being offered in bioassays with or without choice. Percentage of cutting activity by ants was evaluated every 24 hours for two weeks and every 15 days up to three months. Seedling longevity in the field was also evaluated every 15 days for three months. The pyroligneous extract, between 0.1 and 2%, favors between 57.67% and 100% cutting activity by A. sexdens rubropilosa of eucalyptus seedlings treated by irrigation or immersion. Seedling longevity varied from six to forty-five days. Fertilizer doses influenced cutting activity of leaf cutting ants, therefore seedlings treated with 100% of the recommended fertilization underwent greater cutting activity, between 80% and 100%, by A. sexdens rubropilosa, than seedlings treated with half recommended fertilization. A. sexdens rubropilosa is capable of recognizing different substrata, selecting those that can correct colony nutritional deficiencies.
Leaf cutting ants; pyroligneous extract; eucalyptus
