Toxicity of nicotine and rotenone and respiratory effects in atta laevigata f. smith 1858 and atta sexdens rubropilosa forel 1908 hymenoptera formicidae
Hebling-Beraldo, M.J.A.; Vicelli-Zanao, R.C.
Anais da Sociedade Entomologica do Brasil 15(2): 219-230
1986
Accession: 006818269
The LD50 values of nicotine and rotenone to the leaf-cutting ants Atta laevigata (F. Smith, 1858) and Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908, were determined through topical application. Rotenone was considered not toxic for both species of ants and nicotine was moderately toxic for A. laevigata and not toxic for A. sexdens rubropilosa. The effect of these compounds upon the oxygen consumption of the leaf-cutting ants, after LD50 applications, was also investigated. Nicotine had a higher stimulatory effect on the oxygen consumption of A. sexdens rubropilosa than on A. laevigata. Rotenone was depressant after a slight initial raising of the oxygen consumption in both species.