Some facts about Ants

&

their control

….. global severe problem

Presented by Dr. Sudhakar KokateDirector PPRC, India

PPRC/INDIA 01

Ants

• Evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid

cretaceous period between 110 & 130 million

years ago

• Later diversified after the rise of flowering

plants

PPRC/INDIA 02

Ants

• They are everywhere

• They constitute 25% of the total animal weight

• Total species > 22,000

• Social insects

• Size : 0.75 – 52 mmPPRC/INDIA 03

Ants

• Classification: Arthropoda

Insecta

Formicidae

• Word derived from West Germanic “emaitijo”

means the Biter

PPRC/INDIA 04

Ants

• Vary in colour mostly red / black

• But few species are green

• Active throughout the year

• Ants take nectar especially dandelion flower

• They form coloniesPPRC/INDIA 05

Ants

• Larger colonies consist of sterile wingless

females, soldiers, workers

• All colonies with fertile, males known as –

drones and fertile females – queens

• Ultraviolet vision – Sir John Lubbock, 1981

PPRC/INDIA 06

Ants

• Present on every landmass on Earth except

Antarctica

• Six legs, lift 20 times their own body weight

• Major groups of ants – Harvester, Weaver, Leaf

cutter and army

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Ants as food

• Ants and their larvae are eaten in different parts

of the world

• The eggs of ants are used in Mexican

Escamoles USD 40 / pound

• Weaver ant eggs larvae used in Thai salad yam

KhaiPPRC/INDIA 08

Ants as food

• In India, Burma and Thailand a paste of green

weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina is served as

a condiment with curry

• Ants are ideal model organisms

PPRC/INDIA 09

No. of ant species on the globe

PPRC/INDIA 10

Neotropic 2162

Neoarctic 580

Europe 180

Africa 25000

Asia 2080

Malaysia 275

Australia 985

Polynesia 42

Benefits of ants

• Major soil turners

• Channelers of energy

• Pollinators

• Scavengers

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Benefits of ants

• Biological control agents

• Important component in food chain

• Indicating cues for deteriorating ecosystems

PPRC/INDIA 12

How to control

…worldwide problem??

PPRC/INDIA 13

Control of ants

• Pour very hot boiling water repetitively

• Pour hot water + hot pepper tea

• Use boric acid

• Use apple cider vinegar

• Sprinkle cinnamonPPRC/INDIA 14

Control of ants

• Use beneficial silica aero gel

• Sugar + baking soda (1:1)

• Use pyrethrum + isopropyl alcohol

• 1 cup sugar + 4 tbsp boric acid + 24 ounces

water in glass

PPRC/INDIA 15

Control of ants

• Pour / spray kerosene, terpentine

• Spray of pyrethroids, bifenthrin, cypermethrin,

cyhalothrin

• Soapy detergent water

• Plant based oils

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Baits

• Active ingredient

• Avermectin B

• Borate based products

• Fipronil

• HydramethylnonPPRC/INDIA 17

Basil plant

PPRC/INDIA 18

Cucumber peels

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Cloves

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Cinnamon

PPRC/INDIA 21

Chilli powder

PPRC/INDIA 22

Eucalyptus oil

PPRC/INDIA 23

Garlic

PPRC/INDIA 24

Lavender oil

PPRC/INDIA 25

Mint leaves

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Rosemary

PPRC/INDIA 27

Thyme

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Thank You!!

“BE WITH US”