Harnessing weaver ants for sustainable pest management in agriculture: A systematic review

Weaver ants are increasingly recognised as effective biological control agents for sustainable pest management. They include the African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda Latreille, found in sub-Saharan Africa and the green tree ant, O. smaragdina Fabricius, which is common in Southeast Asia and Australia. Native to their regions, both species are arboreal, territorial and aggressive predators that support sustainable pest management in tropical and subtropical tree-based agroecosystems. They are traditionally used in perennial tree crops to provide a natural alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides, contributing to environmentally friendly farming practices. This review employed a systematic literature review (SLR) approach, guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) framework to identify, screen and assess studies on weaver ants. It synthesises current scientific literature and field-based evidence on the use of weaver ants in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. The review examines the ecological roles of weaver ants in pest management, biodiversity enhancement and overall ecosystem health. It also highlights economic benefits such as increased yields, improved crop quality and access to higher-value markets. However, the large-scale use of weaver ants faces challenges, including difficulties in colony propagation and a limited understanding of interspecific interactions. Key knowledge gaps remain in colony establishment, long-term ecological impacts and the scalability of ant-based biological control in commercial farming. This review also highlights future research priorities to optimise the use of weaver ants. As an underutilised biological resource, these ants offer strong potential to enhance the resilience, productivity and sustainability of tropical agriculture.