Abstract
Seed-harvesting ants occur throughout Australia. The main species are Monomorium, Meranoplus, Chelaner, Iridomyrmex, Chalcoponera and Pheidole, the last being the most widespread. These ants become economically important only when they take seeds of aerially-sown pasture species. If conditions remain dry after sowing the ants can collect large quantities of seed and thus reduce establishment.
The most successful way to restrict losses of seeds due to ants is to coat the seed with either of the insecticides bendiocarb or permethrin before sowing. These insecticides do not reduce germination of the seed or the viability of rhizobia added to legume seed. Both insecticides have a relatively low mammalian toxicity and do not pollute the environment.
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© 1982 Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague
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Campbell, M.H. (1982). Restricting losses of aerially sown seed due to seed-harvesting ants. In: Buckley, R.C. (eds) Ant-plant interactions in Australia. Geobotany, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7994-9_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7994-9_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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