• Trabajadoras pero dañinas: Las hormigas forman parte del agroecosistema pero ciertas especies constituyen un enemigo importante para los cultivos. En cítricos hay hormigas que se alimentan directamente del cultivo y hay otras que establecen relaciones de simbiosis con otras plagas.
• Estudio de caso: El uso de Fipronil dirigido al suelo, permite obtener un control inmediato de hormigas y proteger a los cítricos de los daños directos e indirectos que esta plaga provoca.

The efficacy of Tripzell 20 SC (fipronil) for ant control (Solenopsis spp.) in new and mature sweet orange (Citrus sinensis var. Valencia) orchards was tested. Tripzell 20 SC was applied in young trees using a patch design, alternating areas with or without the application, and in full coverage in combination with de herbicide application. Ant population was estimated using a tuna bait and the density of ants was determined using a visual scale. On productive trees the application was made using the herbicide sprayboom. The dose of commercial product was 1 ml L-1. Also a commercial application simulation was made, for the determination of i.a. residues directly in fruit. A 100% control was found during the first 21 das (days after spraying), a significantly higher control was obtained for 35 das and the control was reestablished at 63 das. On the full coverage area a 100% control was obtained for 63 das. The residue determination, of the i.a. or its metabolites, was lower than the minimum detectable level when fruit were analyzed. Direct soil spraying during herbicide cycles can be accompanied by Tripzell 20 SC for ant control.