DOI: 10.5061/dryad.jdfn2z3nf
title: Potential of alternative control of leaf-cutting ants using essential oils: A systematic review

description: Leaf-cutting ants (LCAs) are abundant and cause considerable damage to
 agricultural and forest crops in the Neotropical region, and are commonly
 controlled using sulfluramid-based ant baits. However, this active
 ingredient is a precursor of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a
 persistent, human-made pollutant that poses serious environmental and
 health risks. Several studies have highlighted more natural alternatives
 to conventional pesticides as a strategic approach for safer management.
 In this context, the aim of the present study was to conduct a review
 through scientific, technological, and molecular mapping of the main plant
 species and their major compounds used in the alternative control of LCAs
 using plant essential oils (PEOs). Seven plant families used for the
 extraction of PEOs were identified: Aristolochiaceae, Euphorbiaceae,
 Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Piperaceae, Verbenaceae, and Winteraceae.
 Additionally, 28 patents related to the use of PEOs against pest insects,
 including LCAs, were identified. Although Brazil has the highest number of
 scientific publications on this topic, the number of registered patents
 does not follow the same trend. This review emphasizes the need to
 translate scientific knowledge into technological solutions to make
 alternative products available for the control of LCAs. This is essential
 to uphold the commitment made under the Stockholm Convention, which seeks
 to eliminate or restrict the use of Persistent Organic Pollutants.
description: <strong>Literature Review</strong>
 The process used for the systematic literature review and
 subsequent systematic review followed the guidelines of the
 "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
 Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA), which involved the stages of identification,
 screening/elimination, eligibility, and inclusion of articles (Figure
 1). <strong>Scientific
 Mapping</strong> The review was conducted in
 March 2024 using the indexing platforms Scopus (https://www.scopus.com/)
 and Web of Science (https://webofknowledge.com/), based on the Boolean
 search (Atta<em> </em>OR Acromyrmex OR “leaf-cutting ants” OR
 “leaf-cutting ant”) AND (“essential oils” OR “essential oil” OR “major
 compounds”). The search included titles, abstracts, and keywords. Articles
 published in English were considered, without any specific time frame
 imposed. The metadata of the scientific publications obtained for each
 search term in both databases were exported in BibTex format. The datasets
 were combined into a single set, and duplicate entries were removed. The
 screening of articles was conducted using the inclusion criterion of PEOs
 associated with activity on LCAs; the exclusion criterion was articles
 unrelated to the subject. The systematic review was performed using the
 Bibliometrix package in R software (Aria & Cuccurullo, 2017). The
 full text of the articles selected after screening was
 evaluated. The molecular structures of the major
 compounds identified in the evaluated studies were accessed in the PubChem
 database (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). Subsequently, the structures
 were drawn using ChemDraw software (https://www.acdlabs.com/).
 <strong>Technological Mapping</strong>
 The potential technological use of PEOs on LCAs was evaluated
 through patents obtained and surveyed from the World Intellectual Property
 Organization – WIPO (https://www.wipo.int/portal/en/index.html), the
 European Patent Office – EPO (https://www.epo.org/en), the database
 platform The Lens (https://www.lens.org/), the Spanish and Portuguese
 Patent Database – LATIPAT (https://lp.espacenet.com/), and the National
 Institute of Industrial Property – INPI (https://busca.inpi.gov.br/) in
 April 2024. Duplicate documents and those irrelevant to the research were
 reviewed and excluded. The data were analyzed for plant species used for
 essential oil extraction, the countries where the patents were filed, the
 international patent classification code, and the assignees. The documents
 were processed using The Lens database platform. The
 methodological scope of the research included the following keywords:
 (Atta OR Acromyrmex OR “leaf-cutting ants” OR “leaf-cutting ant”) AND
 (“essential oils” OR “essential oil” OR “major compounds”) through
 advanced search. This information was searched in the titles and abstracts
 of the patent documents, without a time limitation.
 <strong>Molecular Data Mapping</strong>
 The Genetic Sequence Database - GenBank
 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/) from the National Center for
 Biotechnology Information (NCBI) was used for the search of genes,
 proteins, or complete genome sequences. In this phase, the genes of the
 four major compounds with the highest number of published articles were
 investigated. After identifying the major compounds in the articles
 selected for the systematic review, a new search for published articles on
 these compounds in other pest insects was conducted. The methodological
 scope of the research included the following keywords: (“name of the major
 compound”) AND (“insecticidal property” OR “insecticidal activity” OR
 “insecticidal activities” OR “insecticides”). To
 observe the functional association between the query genes through the
 construction of gene interaction networks, the GeneMANIA tool
 (https://genemania.org/) was used. Correlations between the genes were
 evaluated through the networks of physical interaction, co-expression,
 predicted, genetic interactions, co-localization, and shared protein
 domain, and based on the results, the functions of the genes were
 predicted. The species <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> was used
 as the source organism.
description: # Potential of alternative control of leaf-cutting ants using essential
 oils: A systematic review
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jdfn2z3nf](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jdfn2z3nf) ## Description of the data and file structure ### Files and variables #### File: Table\_a\_AFE\_2024\_5027\_b.xlsx **Description:** Leaf-cutting ants (LCAs) are abundant and cause significant damage to agricultural and forest crops in the Neotropical region. Traditionally, they are controlled using sulfluramid-based ant baits. However, sulfluramid is a precursor to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a persistent, human-made pollutant that presents serious environmental and health risks. As a result, there has been growing interest in exploring more natural alternatives to conventional pesticides for safer pest management. This study aims to review the current scientific, technological, and molecular understanding of the use of plant essential oils (PEOs) in the alternative control of LCAs. By mapping the key plant species and their active compounds, this research offers insights into more sustainable pest control practices. * Key Findings Plant Families: Seven plant families were identified for the extraction of PEOs used in the control of LCAs. These are: Aristolochiaceae Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Piperaceae,Verbenaceae,Winteraceae, Patents Identified: A total of 28 patents were found related to the use of PEOs in controlling pest insects, including LCAs. Scientific Publications vs. Patents: Although Brazil has the highest number of scientific publications on this topic, the number of registered patents does not follow the same trend, indicating a gap in translating scientific knowledge into commercial technological solutions.  * \**Clarification regarding colors used in the table: **Criteria for exclusion of articles from the present review are indicated in **red (1. Out of scopo; 2. Article not found; 3. Plant extract)**, while criteria for inclusion in the analyses are indicated in **green (1. Essential oil; 2. Lethal; 3. Sublethal; 4. Behavior; 5. Repellency; 6. Ant; 7. Fungi; 8. *In vitro*; 9. Colony)**. Importance of the Review This review underscores the need for translating scientific knowledge into practical, technological solutions that make alternative products available for controlling LCAs. The development and application of natural alternatives, such as PEOs, are crucial to address the environmental and health concerns associated with traditional pesticide use. Additionally, this approach supports the goals outlined in the Stockholm Convention, which aims to eliminate or restrict the use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).  Conclusion In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of PEOs as an alternative control strategy for LCAs, with emphasis on the need for more investment in translating research into practical solutions. The findings reinforce the importance of sustainable pest management and align with global environmental initiatives aimed at reducing harmful pollutants. ## Code/software Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Bibliometrix package in R software (Aria & Cuccurullo, 2017)