Abstract Leafcutter ants are among the most important agricultural and forest pests in the Neotropical region, given that they use plant matter as substrate for the growth of their mutualist fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. Plant-based insecticides and fungicides have shown potential for controlling these ants. The present study assessed the hydroalcoholic extract activity of four fern fronds (dry and rainy periods) on the mutualist fungus of leafcutter ants. Fungal mycelium suspensions were seeded on the surface of tubes containing fern extracts at a concentration of 5 mg/mL and 100 μg/mL. The chemical profile of the extracts was analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Extracts (dry period) at a concentration of 5 mg/mL inhibited the growth of the fungus: Macrothelypteris torresiana and Dicksonia sellowiana (less than 20%), Niphidium crassifolium (approximately 40%), Parapolystichum effusum extract (100%). None of the extracts (dry and rainy periods) inhibited fungal growth at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. The chemical profile analysis of the extracts indicated the presence of beta-sitosterol, friedelinol, rutin, and kaempferol. The crude extracts of P. effusum and N. crassifolium were the most promising in future formulations of antifungal products. Thus, ferns are potential plants in the search for environmentally-friendly substances for sustainable agriculture. region gongylophorus Plantbased Plant based dry periods mgmL mg mL 10 μgmL μg μg/mL TLC. TLC . (TLC) period less 20%, 20 20% , 20%) approximately 40%, 40 40% 40%) 100%. 100% (100%) betasitosterol, betasitosterol beta sitosterol, sitosterol beta-sitosterol friedelinol rutin kaempferol P N products Thus environmentallyfriendly environmentally friendly agriculture 1 (TLC 2 4 (100% (100 (10 (1 (

Resumo Formigas cortadeiras estão entre as pragas agrícola e florestal mais importante da região Neotropical, uma vez que utilizam material vegetal como substrato para crescimento de seu fungo mutualista Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. Inseticidas e fungicidas de origem vegetal têm mostrado potencial para o controle dessas formigas. O presente estudo avaliou a atividade de extratos hidroalcóolicos de frondes de quatro espécies de samambaias (períodos seco e chuvoso) sobre o fungo mutualista de formigas cortadeiras. Suspensões do micélio fúngico foram semeadas na superfície dos tubos contendo extratos das samambaias na concentração de 5 mg/mL e 100 μg/mL. O perfil químico dos extratos foi analisado por cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD). Extratos (período seco) na concentração de 5 mg/mL inibiram o crescimento do fungo: Macrothelypteris torresiana e Dicksonia sellowiana (menos de 20%) Niphidium crassifolium (aproximadamente 40%), Parapolystichum effusum (100%). Os extratos (períodos seco e chuvoso) na concentração 100 μg/mL não promoveram inibição. A análise do perfil químico dos extratos das quatro espécies indicou a presença de beta-sitosterol, friedelinol, rutina e canferol. Os extratos brutos de P. effusum e N. crassifolium foram os mais promissores para futuras formulações de produtos antifúngicos. Assim sendo, as samambaias são plantas potenciais na busca de substâncias com menor impacto ambiental para uma agricultural sustentável. Neotropical gongylophorus períodos chuvoso mgmL mg mL 10 μgmL μg CCD. CCD . (CCD) período menos 20% 20 aproximadamente 40%, 40 40% , 40%) 100%. 100% (100%) inibição betasitosterol, betasitosterol beta sitosterol, sitosterol beta-sitosterol friedelinol canferol P N antifúngicos sendo sustentável 1 (CCD 2 4 (100% (100 (10 (1 (

Abstract: Pteridium is a cosmopolitan genus of ferns that possess nectaries on its fronds (fern leaves), thereby attracting ants. Foliar (or extrafloral) nectaries are nectar-producing glands that are not related to pollination, but rather attract ants and other arthropods. Foliar nectaries are found in 101 fern species, belonging to 11 genera and six families. The aim of the study is to characterize the community of ants that visit the fronds of Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum, as well as daily and seasonal ant abundance in different frond development stages. The study was conducted in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Bimonthly collections were established, where 30 expanding fronds and 30 fully expanded fronds were randomly marked. In each 1-hour shift starting at 8:30 am and ending at 5:30 pm, the fronds were observed for the presence of ants. Thirty three ant species were recorded on the Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum fronds, distributed into six subfamilies and 13 genera. The most abundant species were Solenopsis sp.1 and Ectatomma tuberculatum. Eight ant species were observed foraging the nectaries of tropical bracken fern fronds. Ectatomma tuberculatum has been observed feeding on the nectaries and patrolling the fronds. Ant activity peak was on mid-day during the rainy season. The tropical bracken fern Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum has a rich (the highest recorded until now on Pteridium species) and diverse ant community on its fronds, mainly on the expanding fronds. The presence of generalist predatory ants (Ectatomma tuberculatum and Solenopsis sp.1) during the entire study period suggests a positive interaction between ants and Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum. Abstract leaves, leaves , leaves) or extrafloral nectarproducing nectar producing pollination arthropods 10 1 families subsp stages state Brazil established 3 marked 1hour hour 830 8 8:3 530 5 5:3 pm sp1 sp sp. midday mid day season 83 8: 53 5:

Resumo: Pteridium é um gênero cosmopolita de samambaias que possui nectários em suas frondes (folhas de samambaias), atraindo formigas. Nectários foliares (ou extraflorais) são glândulas produtoras de néctar que não estão relacionadas com a polinização, mas podem atrair formigas e outros artrópodes. Nectários foliares já foram registrados em 101 espécies de samambaias, pertencentes a 11 gêneros e seis famílias. O objetivo do estudo é caracterizar a comunidade de formigas que visitam as frondes de Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum, bem como a abundância diária e sazonal das formigas em diferentes estágios foliares. O estudo foi realizado na Mata Atlântica do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Foram estabelecidas coletas bimestrais, onde foram marcadas aleatoriamente 30 frondes em expansão e 30 frondes totalmente expandidas. Em cada turno de 1 hora com início às 8h30 e término às 17h30, as frondes marcadas foram observadas quanto à presença de formigas. Trinta e três espécies de formigas foram registradas nas frondes do Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum, distribuídas em seis subfamílias e 13 gêneros. As espécies mais abundantes foram Solenopsis sp.1 e Ectatomma tuberculatum. Foram registradas oito espécies de formigas forrageando os nectários foliares da samambaia. Ectatomma tuberculatum foi observada se alimentando nos nectários e patrulhando as frondes. As formigas tiveram o pico de atividade ao meio-dia e na estação chuvosa. A samambaia tropical Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum tem uma elevada riqueza (a maior já registrada até o momento para espécies de Pteridium) e diversidade de formigas em suas frondes, com maior frequência nas frondes não totalmente expandidas. A presença de formigas predadoras generalistas (Ectatomma tuberculatum e Solenopsis sp.1) durante todo o período de estudo sugere uma interação positiva entre as formigas e Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum. Resumo folhas , samambaias) ou extraflorais polinização artrópodes 10 famílias subsp Janeiro Brasil bimestrais 3 expandidas h 8h3 17h30 sp1 sp sp. meiodia meio dia chuvosa 8h 17h3 17h

ABSTRACT Acrostichum danaeifolium, a Neotropical fern, occurs preferentially in marshy areas or at the margins of lakes and mangroves. Microlepidoptera larvae burrow through the petioles of the fern, preferentially on the non-expanded leaves. The galleries in the petiole create a new microhabitat, harboring a rich fauna of arthropods. The aim of the present study was to assess the richness of ants associated with its petiole. The study was conducted in a population of A. danaefolium from the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro state, Southeastern Brazil. Six collections were carried out every two months (2009-2010), three in the dry and three in the rainy season. The leaves were divided into three development stages: non-expanded leaves (NEL), expanded leaves (EL) and senescent leaves (SL). Seven leaves from each phase were randomly collected from seven individuals. A total of fifteen ant species were recorded. The species with the highest frequency and density in fern petioles were Camponotus crassus and Crematogaster curvispinosa. The highest ant richness and abundance was found in senescent leaves. The high number of ants found in the petioles of Acrostichum danaefolium qualifies it as a potential key species in the marshes and flooded areas where it occurs.

Abstract Galls are neoformed plant structures created by cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy induced by a number of organisms, especially insects. After adult insects hatch, senescent galls may remain on the host plant and be occupied by a succession of fauna, the most important and dominant being ants. This study aimed at characterizing the ant fauna successor of stem galls induced by microlepidoptera in Microgramma squamulosa (Kaulf.) de la Sota (Polypodiaceae). Four collections were carried out in the municipality of Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The galls were packed in plastic bags and taken to the laboratory. Ants were euthanized and conserved in 70° GL alcohol and later identified. A total of 49 stem galls were collected and analyzed, 15 containing microlepidoptera galler larvae, one a parasitoid wasp and 33 without the microlepidoptera or parasitoid (67%). Twelve of these galls (39%) contained ants. Six ant species were recorded (Camponotus crassus, Crematogaster curvispinosa, Crematogaster sericea, Procryptocerus sampaioi, Tapinoma atriceps, and Wasmannia auropunctata), all native to Brazil. Ant occupation in M. squamulosa seems to be associated with senescent galls due to hatching of the galler insect, which leaves a hole that allows ants to colonize it, in other words, an opportunistic domatia. Senescent galls resulting from the death of galler insects do not seem to facilitate ant occupation.