Contribution of tree ants towards the low production of fruits in Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) S. Balle (Loranthaceae)

摘要

The follow up of the development of flowers of Phragmanthera capitata during four cycles of flowering had as objective to explain the low number of bays produced by this species observed in the agroecosystems of Douala. One collection of ants during morning were carried out in April, May and June 2009 on three floral knots belonging to a branch of P. capitata which parasites Citrus maxima, Psidium guajava and Theobroma cacao. The fructification in P. capitata is low and inversely proportional to the number of floral buds and to the number of full grown flowers. According to the ant species, labourers can cause lesions on underground and aerial parts of this Loranthaceae (buds, leaves, flowers and fruits) so as to exploit directly extra floral nectaries. Hence, most of the flowers do not reach maturity. Therefore fruits production is limited. The magnitude of lost can vary from simple lesions to the cutting of soft part of the plant, leading to the death of the parasitized host plant.