Germinated kamut wheat (Triticum turgidum), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and mung bean (Vigna radiata). An alternative for the feeding of colonies of ants Atta cephalotes under laboratory conditions.

Abstract

The establishment of colonies of Atta cephalotes cutter ants under laboratory conditions has been proposed for the study and development of plague control products. However, few laboratories in Colombia have colonies of Atta cephalotes cutter ants, with food being a limiting factor given their sensitivity, selectivity and voracity. In this study, the use of wheat germinated kamut (Triticum turgidum), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and mung bean (Vigna radiata) as an alternative for the feeding of colonies under laboratory conditions y mango leaves like control, using mini-colonies was evaluated. In the study, mung bean sprouts and kamut wheat were preferred (100% load, 24 hours), compared to quinoa (89 ± 10% load, 24 hours). The determination of the effect of the sprouts on the growth rate of the mini-colonies was evaluated during 8 weeks, showing that the germinated kamut wheat and control treatment generated the best growth rates of fungus in the exponential phase (3.19 and 3.73 g / week respectively) compared with mung beans and quinoa (1 g / wk), supporting the potential of kamut wheat for the maintenance of colonies under laboratory conditions.