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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Biological Control of Pests Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #158432
Title: SURVEY OF IMPORTED FIRE ANT (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) POPULATIONS IN MISSISSIPPI.

Author
item Streett, Douglas
item FREELAND, THOMAS - USDA,OFFICE OF CHIEF ECON
item Vander Meer, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/2005
Publication Date: 3/1/2006
Citation: Streett, D.A., Freeland, T.B., Vander Meer, R.K. 2006. Survey of imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) populations in Mississippi. Florida Entomologist. 89: 91-92.

Interpretive Summary: Novel control strategies using biological control agents are currently being implemented in Mississippi. In many cases, these biological control strategies are host specific, so the distribution of fire ant populations in Mississippi will prove critical in the development of regional programs to control imported fire ants. Two species of imported fire ants, the red and black imported fire ant, and their hybrid are found in Mississippi. The distribution of these fire ant populations will be used to develop regional management programs for this pest in Mississippi.

Technical Abstract: This study determined the distribution of the red and black imported fire ant, and their hybrid ant populations in Mississippi. The range of hybrid populations was found to extend to twenty-seven counties in Mississippi. Biological control strategies are typically species specific, so the distribution of these fire ant populations in Mississippi will prove critical in the development of region-wide programs to control imported fire ants.