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Chemical Deterrency of Citrus reticulata (Blanco) to the Leaf-Cutting ant, Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich)

  • V. Jones
  • G. V. Pollard
  • C. E. Seaforth
Research Article
First Online:

Abstract

The mandarin orange or portugal, Citrus reticulata (Blanco), is unattractive as a forage material for the leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) while pineapple orange, Citrus sinensis (L.), is quite attractive. Lipid and non-lipid components were separated from portugal whole leaf extracts. Bioassays revealed the lipid fraction to be less attractive to the ants. This fraction was further separated using preparative layer chromatography into polar and non-polar lipid constituents. Two non-polar lipid fractions, Rf 0.5–0.7 and Rf 0.7–1.0, were shown to be the most deterrent constituents of portugal leaves to A. octospinosus.

Key Words

Citrus reticulata mandarin or portugal leaf-cutting ants Acromyrmex octospinosus plant selectivity chemical deterrents 

Résumé

Le mandarinier, Citrus reticulata (Blanco), n’offre pas de matériel fourrager attrayant pour la fourmi-parasol, Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich), tandis que l’oranger (variété ananas), Citrus sinensis est très attrayant. Des composants lipidiques et non lipidiques ont été séparés d’extraits de feuilles entières de mandarinier. Des épreuves biologiques ont révélées que la fraction lipidique était moins attrayante pour les fourmis. En outre, utilisant la Chromatographie en couche fine, cette fraction a été séparée en éléments polaires et non polaires. On a démontré que deux fractions de lipidiques non polaires, Rf 0,5–0,7 et Rf 0,7–1,0, étaient les constituants des feuiles de mandarinier les plus préventifs contre A. octospinosus.

Mots Cléfs

Citrus reticulata le mandarinier la fourmi-parasol Acromyrmex octospinosus selectivite des plantes resistance chimique 
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Copyright information

© ICIPE 1987

Authors and Affiliations

  • V. Jones
    • 1
  • G. V. Pollard
    • 1
  • C. E. Seaforth
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Plant Science and BiochemistryThe University of the West IndiesSt. AugustineTrinidad and Tobago
  2. 2.Department of ChemistryThe University of the West IndiesSt. AugustineTrinidad and Tobago

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