Effect of the plant community on the numerical and behavioral dominance of ant species in pineapple cropping systems in Reunion Island

Bourel Marie, Tixier Philippe, Clémencet Johanna, Faustin Eva, Abufera Bernard Raymond, Carval Dominique. 2023. Effect of the plant community on the numerical and behavioral dominance of ant species in pineapple cropping systems in Reunion Island. In : ECE 2023 - Books of abstracts. Heraklion : Hellenic Entomogical Society, Résumé, 412-413. European Congress of Entomology. XII, Heraklion, Grèce, 16 Septembre 2023/20 Septembre 2023.

Résumé : In Reunion Island, as in other production areas, pineapple cultivation is largely impacted by the Wilt virus complex. Mealybugs of the Dysmicoccus brevipes species are the main mealybugs found on pineapple and are vectors of these viruses. However, other species such as ants are involved in this complex pathosystem. Ants usually nurture and protect the mealybugs from predators, while the latter provide honeydew to the ants. This mutualism greatly complicates the regulation of mealybugs by biological control. Indeed, ants can attack or prevent predators from feeding on mealybugs and even reduce the effectiveness of potential parasitoids. In Reunion Island, the ant species involved in this mutualism have not yet been described. In order to characterize the ant communities in pineapple cropping systems, we used an imagery approach that combined in-field image captures and computer vision algorithm to ease the detection and determination of species at play. Associated with these measures, we also determined the plant community at each observation locations. The objective was (i) to determine which ant species are most involved in the frequentation and protection of mealybugs and (ii) to measure the impact of the plant community on the numerical and behavioral dominance of ant species in pineapple systems. We discuss our results in terms of potential management of the ant communities through the plant community allowing a better mealybug regulation.

Mots-clés libres : Ananas comosus, Mealybug, Behavioral ecology, Imagery, Ants

Auteurs et affiliations

• Bourel Marie, CIRAD-PERSYST-UPR GECO (REU)
• Tixier Philippe, CIRAD-PERSYST-UPR GECO (LAO) ORCID: 0000-0001-5147-9777
• Clémencet Johanna, Université de la Réunion (REU)
• Faustin Eva, Institut Agro Montpellier (FRA)
• Abufera Bernard Raymond, CIRAD-PERSYST-UPR GECO (REU) ORCID: 0000-0002-2465-9833
• Carval Dominique, CIRAD-PERSYST-UPR GECO (REU)

Source : Cirad-Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/606985/)

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