Formicidal Potential of Thymol Derivatives: Adverse Effects on the Survival and Behavior of Acromyrmex balzani

Leaf-cutting ants are important pests of agricultural and forest crops. Currently, few insecticides registered for the control these insects. Natural bioactive molecules can serve as models synthesis new insecticidal compounds. Such ant killer products must be sustainable efficient, considering not only lethal effects, but also sublethal which interfere with behavior communication between colony members. In this study, we analyzed toxicity monoterpene thymol its derivatives, well effects compounds on leaf-cutting Acromyrmex balzani. These were compared conventional synthetic insecticide deltamethrin. Although deltamethrin showed higher (LD50 = 0.87 × 10−5 µg/mg), all other tested increased mortality, thymyl chloroacetate being most toxic derivative 1.41 followed by 2.23 µg/mg). three interfered differentially in ants. Thymyl caused self-cleaning reduced allogrooming, may related to an attempt avoid contamination nestmates. general, greater avoidance among ants, walking speed disorientation workers. On hand, (LD30) considerably group, without changing orientation individuals. changes basic activities such foraging altering cohesion via different mechanisms. Thus, despite desirable control, is highly should discontinued soon. Our results show that structural modification represent potential killers used management A.