FATORES ASSOCIADOS À OCORRÊNCIA DE FORMIGAS EM ESCOLAS URBANAS

Schools consist of environments that offer favorable conditions for nesting byants. This study aims to identify the factors associated with the occurrenceof ants in four environments at schools located in urban areas. Samplingwas conducted in kitchens, warehouses, dining rooms, and outdoor areasin twelve schools in four cites in the western region of the State of SantaCatarina, Brazil. For sampling, baits and manual collection were used.The environmental variables were obtained in each environment. Similaritybetween schools regarding ant composition and abundance was assessedby a Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling. We sampled 1,478 specimensof ants and identified 45 species. Similarities (60%) were observed in theabundance and composition of ant assemblages among schools in smalltowns (Caxambu do Sul, Guatambu, and Palmitos).The presence of outdoorareas with vegetation and green areas in the surroundings, size of constructedarea, and frequency of insect control event contribute to the abundanceof these insects in the schools environments. Ants are not recognized aspotential vectors of pathogenic microorganisms in schools and are neglectedif considered the periodicity of insect control.