Ant predation of larval Diatraea saccharalis Fab. (Lep., Crambidae) in newsugarcane in Brazil

Ant predation of natural field populations of larval sugarcane borers, Diat raea saccharalis, was evaluated by using insecticidal check techniques, and through survivorship studies of artificial high-density infestations, in p lantations in Brazil. Areas of ant suppression had higher levels of D. sacc haralis than unsuppressed areas, although both types of areas normally had extremely low D. saccharalis populations. Artifical infestations of D. sacc haralis yielded significantly lower larval survivorship in unsuppressed are as than in suppressed areas. Fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) were always the mo st abundant ant. This study has demonstrated that ants are important pest p redators in Brazilian sugarcane fields.