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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Biological Control of Pests Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #143163
Title: AREA-WIDE SUPPRESSION OF BLACK IMPORTED FIRE ANTS ON PASTURES IN MISSISSIPPI

Author
item Streett, Douglas
item Vogt, James
item Pereira, Roberto

Submitted to: Imported Fire Ants Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/20/2001
Publication Date: 3/24/2002
Citation: STREETT, D.A., VOGT, J.T., PEREIRA, R.M. AREA-WIDE SUPPRESSION OF BLACK IMPORTED FIRE ANTS ON PASTURES IN MISSISSIPPI. IMPORTED FIRE ANTS CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. 2002. P.138-141.

Interpretive Summary: The USDA-ARS demonstration project for the suppression of fire ants on pastures using biological control agents was established in five states; Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. Four sites have been identified for the USDA-ARS demonstration project in Mississippi. The biological control agents were not detected in a preliminary survey at any of the sites, and thus will offer a unique opportunity to study black imported fire ant populations that have not been exposed to the biological control agents. The impact of these biological control agents against imported fire ant populations will be assessed over a five-year period.

Technical Abstract: A USDA-ARS area-wide demonstration project was established against imported fire ants in pastures. Concurrent introductions of biological control agents of fire ants, e.g. microsporidia and phorid flies with registered fire ant bait products will be used to demonstrate area-wide management of fire ant populations on pastures. In a preliminary survey, biological control agents were not detected at any of the sites.