Survey and Management of Carpenter Ants on Urban Trees in the City of SãO Paulo, Brazil

Abstract:
One thousand four hundred seventy-seven botanical specimens represented by urban trees and palm trees, found in gardens, public squares and streets in the area of Cidade Jardim, a district in Sao Paulo, Brazil, were evaluated from 2004 to 2008. The aim was to determine which species of carpenter ants are there, assess the presence of infection in the tree population and highlight the relationship between these pests with native and exotic species, and perform curative treatments aiming at the control besides qualifying their efficiency. A census of trees on site determined 29 families and 52 botanical specimens. The carpenter ant Camponotus atriceps, Camponotus crassus, Camponotus sericeiventris, Camponotus rufipes, Camponotus renggeri, and a species called Camponotus sp. 1, were identified in the study area. C. atriceps proved to be predominant in all plant species studied, but with greater significance in Caesalpinia rainy var.peltophoroides (Caesalpiniaceae) and Tipuana tipu (Tipuana). The other species were found at negligible levels, with no preference for any of the components of trees. C. rufipes was significantly found in palm trees, being prone to appear in the Arecaceae family.