Ants as possible biological control agents in orchards?

     Several organisms are already known as control organisms in biological and integrated pest management, but the focus on applications is mostly on glasshouse pests.
     Although it is known that weaver ants (Oecophylla) are (passively) used as biological control agents in citrus orchards in China, wood ants (Formica) have a large impact on the populations of woodland pests and that there are several reports on the beneficial "side effects" of the presence of fire ants (Solenopsis) in cotton and other crops, there are no other reports of an active use of ants in pest control.
     Wood ants are known as major predators in woodlands and there is extensive study on their behaviour. They are also easy to keep in artificial nests. We try to combine those two properties…

The aims of this project are:

1) To design an artificial nest that can contain an ant colony (Formica rufa, F. polyctena or F.      pratensis) under the best conditions in an orchard.

2) To investigate the effect of regular displacement of this nest on the overall development of      the colony.

3)  If there is no negative effect with displacement to investigate the distribution of the      workers and the effect (if any) the colony (or colonies) has (have) on the populations of the      pest species in an orchard (comparison with orchards without ants present).

4) To investigate possible side effects on pollinators

5) (Facultative) to investigate the effect of several pesticides on the ants

Peter Berx
Klameerstraat 11
B-3570 Belgium