ANT (HYM, FORMICIDAE) MOSAIC STABILITY IN BAHIAN COCOA PLANTATIONS - IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT

Mapping and collection of ants in cocoa trees in a 1 ha plot in the so uth of Bahia, Brazil, revealed three dominant species of the ant mosai c: Wasmannia auropunctata, Ectatomma tuberculatum and Azteca chartifex spiriti. A. chartifex demonstrated a larger influence in the cocoa pl antation due to its spatial and temporal (1 y) stability in the same c ocoa trees, and its capacity for territorial expansion. The management of A. chartifex for controlling insect pests of cocoa is strongly rec ommended. Considerations of temporal permanence of mosaic dominant ant s should be a necessary criteria for ant management in tropical tree c rops.