**5. Conclusions**

Data from the literature clearly demonstrate that several plants are capable of producing substances with direct action against leaf-cutting ants and/or their symbiotic fungi, such as ricinine (*Ricinus communis*; Euphorbiaceae); β-eudesmol (*Eucalyptus maculata*; Myrtaceae), the limonoid limonéxico acid (*Raulinoa echinata*; Rutaceae), sesamin and sesamoline (Sesamum indicum; Pedaliaceae), anthranilic acid, kokusaginine and dictamine (*Helietta puberula*; Rutaceae), 4.5- dimetoxicantin-6-one and 5-metoxicantin-6-one (*Simarouba versicolor*; Simar‐ oubaceae), (-)-hinokinin and (-) kusunokin (*Virola sebifera;* Myristicaceae), among others. The active substances extracted from these plants may provide the basis for studies aimed at the synthesis of organic molecules and the development of new commercial products that are stable and show low persistence in the environment. In Brazil, these studies intensified after the establishment of restrictive policies by government entities and certifying institutions regarding the use of the active ingredients that are currently available in the market. Several molecules have already been synthesised, although they are not yet available for use by farmers; however, expectations for the use of plant-derived products in the control of leafcutting ants are high.
