Efeito do fungo Trichoderma harzianum e do zinco em colônias de Atta sexdens

Abstract

The leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta are cited as the main herbivores of the Neotropical region, being capable of causing major damage to agriculture, pasture and forestry in particular. In the chemical control of this plague, the most common and effective tactic has been the use of toxic granular baits. However, there have been alternative methods for control of cutting, especially by pressure certifying agencies forest management as the FSC (Forest Standarship Council). Recently, Trichoderma spp. They began to be tested in the control of leaf-cutting ants because of their antagonistic properties to the symbiotic fungus cultivated by them. Furthermore, they highlight substances that have the potential of inhibiting the innate immune response of the insects. For example, some chemical elements such as cadmium and zinc. This study aimed to the preparation of a formulation with granulated baits and encapsulated fungus Trichoderma harzianum. For encapsulation fungus, a mixture of sodium alginate was used wheat bran, concentrated orange juice and triturated antagonist mycelium. This mixture was dripped into solution (0,25 M) CaCl2, which allowed the formation of spherical granules of regular diameter. Parallel tested for baits containing zinc sulfate ZnSO4 (0,25 g/L) produced from the mixture of alginate, wheat bran and concentrated orange juice. After the supply of baits made up the total count of hemocytes of the workers in order to verify changes in their immune response. There was no decline in the amount of hemocytes. Despite the baits have not promoted the death of the colonies, they had good acceptance by workers and promoted the reduction of the symbiont fungus volume. Chloride and zinc sulfate were used in concentrations of 0.15; 0.25; 0.5; 1.5; 2, 5 and 5; 0 g /L in Petri dishes on PDA medium for the development and test of antagonist symbiont fungi, and the results showed growth inhibition in both maximal doses Leucoagaricus gongylophorus as Trichoderma harzianum. The ants were dipped in zinc sulfate solutions with the same concentrations of those employed in the fungal inhibition assay. After time 24 and 48 hours we made the total hemocytes count and there was a decrease in high concentrations thereof. We conclude that the baits containing T. harzianum and zinc sulfate showed good acceptance by the colonies, they did not promote the death of the colonies, however, reduced the volume of the symbiont fungus. High doses of zinc chloride and sulfate inhibit the development of the antagonist fungus and symbiont fungus and high concentrations of zinc and the longer exposure time of workers at the same affect your immune system.