Location: Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research
Project Number: 6036-10400-001-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Sep 3, 2024
End Date: Sep 2, 2029
Objective:
1. Characterize and develop an understanding of pathogenesis of Solenopsis invicta-specific viruses (e.g., Cripavirus porteri and Invictavirus solenopsae), microsporidia and other pathogenic microbes, and evaluate their impact as natural control agents against fire ants, the electric ant and tawny crazy ants.
Sub-objective 1.A: Develop natural enemies of fire ants as classical biological control agents or biopesticides by effecting their release, evaluating effectiveness, determining host specificity, and investigating pathogenesis.
Sub-objective 1.B: Characterize the prevalence and genetic diversity of the microsporidium Kneallhazia solenopsae among fire ant populations in both their native and invasive range. (MSA)
Sub-objective 1.C.: Describe microbial diversity in nests (both ants and soil) of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, and soil not associated with their nests.
2. Develop new or improved low-cost control strategies (biodegradable and/or target specific) for sustained suppression of fire ants and other targeted invasive ant species, e.g., electric ant and tawny crazy ant, using a) biogenic amines/derivatives, and b) Receptor-i technology to discover strong binding peptide ligands to functionally interfere with critical G-Protein-Coupled-Receptors (GPCRs).
3. Conduct studies on the ecology and biology of tawny crazy ants to determine seasonal queen development and vulnerability in the field to optimize implementation of control technologies and strategies.
4. Develop new and improved surveillance/identification strategies for fire ants and other invasive ants using DNA metabarcoding, novel biochemical, and remote detection/identification methodologies to aid APHIS in fire ant quarantine efforts and facilitate ports-of-entry interceptions.
Sub-objective 4.A: Develop a universal DNA metabarcoding protocol that can be used to identify any non-native ant.
Sub-objective 4.B: Improve Remote Autonomous Detection System (RADS) identification of fire ants.
Sub-Objective 4.C: Develop with collaborator a RADS mobile application and device for real-time point-and-identify fire ant and other pest ants at plant nurseries and elsewhere.
5. Develop models to understand the role of genetics in fire ant adaptation to climate change to better predict future geographic distributions of fire ants and facilitate quarantine and early mitigation responses.
Sub-objective 5.A: Assess geographic genetic differentiation and selection processes among populations of Solenopsis invicta in both the native and invasive ranges.
Sub-objective 5.B: Develop predictive models of fire ant distribution in both the native and invasive range using climatic and genetic data.
Approach:
Imported Fire Ants (IFA) and other invasive ants create significant problems worldwide. IFA thrive in disturbed habitats and humans are specialists at habitat disruption. About 90 years after IFA infested Mobile, Alabama they now occupy over 148 million hectares costing Americans more than eight billion dollars annually for control and damage repair. IFA impact many economic sectors, including households, electric and communications, and agriculture. About 10% of the human population is susceptible to developing allergic reactions to fire ant venom. Fire ants were introduced into the U.S. with few natural enemies. Thus, a major goal of the IFAHI unit is to increase the number of self-sustaining parasites and pathogens to improve IPM approaches against IFA and other invasive ants. The effectiveness of viruses and other pathogens will be investigated as control agents against fire ants in the laboratory and field. A readily adaptable Receptor-interference technology yields species-specific peptides that interfere with essential IFA functions resulting in worker and queen mortality. The method is readily adaptable to other invasive ants and pests. The unit will develop cutting-edge novel DNA based identification methods that will, with high accuracy, distinguish any invasive ant, facilitating early response and mitigation of incursions. Another system will remotely lure a target ant species into a tiny photo studio where the artificial intelligence-trained system will identify the ant and send data to APHIS or others. In addition, other invasive ant species, e.g., the tawny crazy ant will benefit from the innovations highlighted for IFAs but will need specific approaches for improved baits and baiting strategies, discovery of biological control agents, and improvement of IPM methods. The unit’s efforts will improve the near- and long-term suppression of invasive ant populations and benefit the broad range of stakeholders (e.g., livestock, nursery, households) impacted by IFA and other pest ants.
