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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Biological Control of Pests Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #140929
Title: NOTE: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DECAPITATING FLY PSEUDACTEON CURVATUS (DIPTERA: PHORIDAE) IN MISSISSIPPI.

Author
item Vogt, James
item Streett, Douglas

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2003
Publication Date: 4/1/2003
Citation: VOGT, J.T., STREETT, D.A. NOTE: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DECAPITATING FLY PSEUDACTEON CURVATUS (DIPTERA: PHORIDAE) IN MISSISSIPPI.. JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCES. 2003. V.32(2). P.317-320.

Interpretive Summary: Phorid flies are tiny parasitic flies that develop in and kill imported fire ants. Rapid establishment of phorid fly species that are approved for release in the U.S. is essential for the success of biological control programs targeting imported fire ants. Successful establishment of one species, Pseudacteon curvatus, was demonstrated in Mississippi by exposing host ants to attacking flies in a specially designed attack box in the laboratory then placing the ants back into the field, where the flies completed development and emerged as adults to attack more ants. In the space of approximately 5 months, flies were established at a test site in Clay County, Mississippi, and spread out more than 600 meters from the original release site. The flies were established at this site as part of the USDA, ARS Area-Wide Management of Fire Ants In Pastures program. Quick and successful deployment of these parasites should negatively impact fire ants, allowing native ants to better compete for resources.

Technical Abstract: The little decapitating fly, Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier, was established in Clay County, Mississippi, by releasing parasitized ants (Solenopsis richteri Forel and Solenopsis invicta X richteri) back into their source colonies. Over the course of 1 month approximately 60,000 phorid pupae were placed in the field by exposing host ants to ovipositing flies in a specially designed attack box for 7 d at a time and releasing the exposed ants. Within 3-4 months, flies had established and spread >600 m from the original release site. This methodology offers promise for rapid establishment of phorid flies in biological control programs targeting imported fire ants.