Acromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) management. Part 1: Effects of TRAMIL's insecticidal plant extracts.

Background: Leaf-cutting ants are considered to be one of the most important pest species of the New World. Until now, control strategies against these leaf-cutting ants have mainly been synthetic chemicals. The aim of the present study was to test the action of several plant extracts quoted as an example by TRAMIL participative surveys for their insecticidal properties on adult major workers of Acromyrmex octospinosus.