ABSTRACT
Compared to manual control, systematic control WITH ant bait requires less labor, results in lower exposure of workers and increases operating YIELD. This study aimed to evaluate the mortality of leaf-cutting ants nests with a mechanized systematic application of ant bait in three spacings on eucalyptus plantations in maintenance phase, the operational capability of mechanized application and the quality of the distribution of bait throughout the area. The experiment was conducted in the city of Paropeba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in stands of eucalyptus plantations in maintenance phase. A sulfluramid (0.3%) based bait was systematically applied at 1 kg.ha-1 every 6 x 2.5 9 x 2.5 and 12 x 2.5 meters, with an application equipment attached to the hydraulic system of a tractor, comprising three treatments with five repetitions. Nests with a size of up to one square meter of land area were selected and marked and evaluated their inactivity at 60 and 210 days after bait application. The percentage of bait loading, the operational capability of the mechanized process and the quality of the distribution process of the bait were also evaluated, using control charts. It was found that the different spacings applied did not influence the effectiveness of control. The largest spacing used provided greater operational capacity (8.42 ha.h-1). The mechanized systematic application provided good distribution as to the process' statistical control, being a viable alternative to manual application.
Keywords:
Leaf-cutting ants; control method; eucalyptus; forestry mechanization
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