Abstract

Seed harvester ants are one of the dominant insect pest groups in Eritrea causing great economic loss in cereal crops from sowing up to harvesting. The effectiveness of malathion, carbaryl and neem seed extract on the reduction of seed harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex spp.) populations and damages was also evaluated by the amount of seed removal. Results of the study showed that high number of germination rate (14.6) and yield (1.7 kg/plot) was obtained from malathion-treated ant mounds while carbaryl showed fair control. But neem seed extract was not effective where low germination rate (3.24) and yield (0.7 kg/plot) was found. The seed removal rate for seed harvester ant colony was very high in pearl millet (89.4 to 100%) than in maize (59.2 to 51.3%).

Key words: Seed harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex, reduction, insecticides.