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Colonization and destruction of ants of the genus Camponotus sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in vitro by the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia in the southeast region of Brazil

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the colonization and destruction of ants of the genus Camponotus sp. by the ovicidal fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4 isolate), in the southeast region of Brazil. The insects used in the experiment were worker ants of the genus Camponotus sp., collected periodically in the environment and immediately transported to the laboratory in test tubes. Then, VC4 growth was promoted in 2% chitin agar medium (2% WQ) to obtain a fungal solution containing conidia and/or chlamydospores. Two experimental groups were formed. Treated group consisted of Petri dishes containing 2% agar–water culture medium (2% WA) with nine live insects and 20 µL of fungal solution at the concentration of 15,000 conidia/chlamydospores. Control group consisted of Petri dishes containing 2% WA culture medium and nine live insects. The dishes in the treated and control groups were incubated in BOD at 25 ± 1 °C and 80 ± 10% relative humidity for 4 days. After 4 days, it was observed that the VC4 had grown, colonized, and caused the destruction of the ants. The fungus P. chlamydosporia was efficient at colonizing and destroying the urban ants collected on an experimental basis. Thus, it could open up new ways to reduce the use of chemical compounds in the future, decreasing health and environmental problems.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Espirito Santo (FAPES), and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Experimental Parasitology and Biological Control Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Vila Velha, Vila Velha, ES, CEP 29102-920, Brazil

    Caio Colodette Senna, Fabio Porto Sena, Jeanne Saraiva da Paz, Abel de Barros Rios, Carolina Magri Ferraz, Fernando Luiz Tobias, Emy Hiura & Fabio Ribeiro Braga

  2. Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, University of Vila Velha (UVV), Vila Velha, ES, CEP 29102-920, Brazil

    Dominik Lenz, Fernando Luiz Tobias & Fabio Ribeiro Braga

  3. Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary Department, Federal University of Viçosa-Minas Gerais, Viçosa, CEP 36570000, Brazil

    Jackson Victor de Araújo

  4. Veterinary Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Vila Velha, Vila Velha, ES, CEP 29102-920, Brazil

    Jeanne Saraiva da Paz

  5. Biochemical Department, Federal University of Viçosa-Minas Gerais, Viçosa, CEP 36570000, Brazil

    Filippe Elias Freitas Soares

Authors
  1. Caio Colodette Senna
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  2. Fabio Porto Sena
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  3. Jeanne Saraiva da Paz
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  4. Abel de Barros Rios
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  5. Carolina Magri Ferraz
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  7. Filippe Elias Freitas Soares
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  8. Fernando Luiz Tobias
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  9. Emy Hiura
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  10. Jackson Victor de Araújo
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  11. Fabio Ribeiro Braga
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fabio Ribeiro Braga.

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There were no conflicting interests that could have influenced the conduct and reporting of this study.

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Senna, C.C., Sena, F.P., da Paz, J.S. et al. Colonization and destruction of ants of the genus Camponotus sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in vitro by the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia in the southeast region of Brazil. 3 Biotech 8, 333 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-018-1365-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-018-1365-1

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