Hygienic behavior and antimicrobial peptide expression of the leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) to Metharhizium anisopliae

Leaf-cutting ants depend on mutualisticfungi to survive. An infection that massively affects the workers compromising proper maintenance of fungus, or can attack fungus garden, be fatal colony. Thus, leaf-cutting have evolved a complex defense system composed both innate individual immunity and collective protect colony against potential threats. To characterize Atta cephalotes Metarizhium anisopliae we assessed hygienic behavior expression antimicrobial peptides A. triggered by spores. As control challenge, were treated with water. Regardless whether challenge was water spore suspension, displayed an immediate response characterized increase in time spent self-grooming grooming along reduction fungus-grooming. The abaecin as early 24 hours post-infection, exclusively challenged M. . In contrast, level defensin remained constant. These results suggest upon being suspension s , deploy produce invader. However, when spores are applied liquid deploys generic strategy, while shows specific this entomopathogen.