Sampling of Leaf-Cutting Ant Nests (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Eucalyptus Plantations Using Quadrant and Prodan Methods

摘要

This study was carried out in the Municipality of Belo Oriente, Minas Gerais State, Brazil from January 2002 to February 2005 in five eucalyptus stands with a total area of 160.22 hectares. The objectives were to develop sampling plans for leaf-cutting ant nests with the quadrant and Prodan methods and to determine the best estimator for their population density in eucalyptus plantations in areas with steep relief in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The eucalyptus stands were divided into contiguous sample units with two rows long by one plant wide. The leaf-cutting ant nests were located, identified and measured in each sample. Maps were prepared with the location of these nests and of the eucalyptus trees per stand to simulate the sampling plans. The estimate of the number of leaf-cutting ant nests by the Pollard estimator was more precise than that of the Cottam & Curtis for the quadrant method. The Pollard and Prodan estimators are adequate to be used in programs of monitoring leaf-cutting ant nests in eucalyptus plantations in this region.