Petty, G.J., & Tustin, H. 1993 Ant (Pheidole megacephala F.) -- mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes Ckll.) relationships in pineapples in South Africa.. Acta Horticulturae (334): 387-397.

Notes: Abstract: This pineapple mealybug has largely been controlled on pineapple (Ananas comosus) by controlling the big-headed ant; the relationship between these two species was studied in a Queen cv. pineapple plantation by regulating the ant population with hydramethylnon ant-bait (Amdro); mealybug leaf infestation decreased to 10% of the original level 20 weeks after ants were eliminated; mealybug root infestation decreased to zero by week 12 after ants were eliminated and remained there, while under ant-infested conditions, root infestation was extremely high.