Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin NT 0909, Australia.
J Econ Entomol. 2013 Feb;106(1):299-304. doi: 10.1603/ec12162.
In implementing the integrated pest management mango (Mangifera indica L.) program using weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina F.) as a major component in the Northern Territory of Australia, we received a number of questions from farmers and extension officers asking whether weaver ant marks reduce internal fruit quality and induce fruit rot, which is economically important. However, this issue has not been investigated. Soluble sugar content in fruits with and without weaver ant marks and observations on the storage of fruits with the ant marks were recorded in 2002 and 2003. The sugar contents were, in general, higher on the side of the fruit with a relatively large area of ant marks than on the side with a smaller area of ant marks, irrespective of whether fruits were exposed to the sun or not. The field experiment showed that sugar content was generally higher in the treatment with weaver ants plus soft chemicals than in the insecticide treatment. For the storage of fruits bearing weaver ant marks, no signs of diffuse rot from any ant marks were observed, but fruit skin without the ant marks developed a considerable number of dark open lenticels, most of which developed to rot marks and patches. These results suggest that weaver ant marks are positively correlated with internal fruit quality, do not induce fruit rot and can be used as an indicator of better fruit quality and safety.
在澳大利亚北部地区实施以织叶蚁（Oecophylla smaragdina F.）为主要成分的综合虫害管理芒果（Mangifera indica L.）项目时，我们收到了许多来自农民和推广官员的问题，询问织叶蚁标记是否会降低内部水果质量并导致水果腐烂，这在经济上很重要。然而，这个问题尚未得到调查。我们在 2002 年和 2003 年记录了有和没有织叶蚁标记的果实中的可溶性糖含量以及有蚁标记果实的储存观察结果。一般来说，无论果实是否暴露在阳光下，有相对大面积蚁标记的果实一侧的糖含量都高于有较小面积蚁标记的果实一侧。田间试验表明，有织叶蚁加软化学品的处理的糖含量通常高于杀虫剂处理。对于带有织叶蚁标记的果实的储存，没有观察到任何来自蚁标记的弥漫性腐烂的迹象，但是没有蚁标记的果皮上出现了相当数量的深色开放皮孔，其中大多数发展成腐烂标记和斑点。这些结果表明，织叶蚁标记与内部果实质量呈正相关，不会引起果实腐烂，可以用作更好的果实质量和安全性的指标。
