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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #173232
Title: MISSISSIPPI AREAWIDE FIRE ANT SUPPRESION PROGRAM: UNIQUE ASPECTS OF WORKING WITH BLACK AND HYBRID IMPORTED FIRE ANTS

Author
item Vogt, James
item Streett, Douglas
item Pereira, Roberto
item CALLCOTT, ANNE-MARIE - USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/12/2004
Publication Date: 7/15/2003
Citation: Vogt, J.T., Streett, D.A., Pereira, R.M., Callcott, A.A. 2003. Mississippi Areawide Fire Ant Suppresion Program: Unique Aspects of Working with Black and Hybrid Imported Fire Ants. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. 20(3):105-111.

Interpretive Summary: For information only-previously entered by Mid-South.

Technical Abstract: Chemical and biological controls for imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren, the red imported fire ant, S. richteri Forel, the black imported fire ant, and their hybrid) are being investigated and demonstrated in a multistate, multiagency Areawide Management Program. The Mississippi component of the program offers the unique opportunity to implement the latest control technologies against monogyne (single queen) black and hybrid imported fire ant colonies because sites in the other participating states (Florida, South Carolina, Texas, and Oklahoma) are dominated by polygyne (multiple queen) red imported fire ant colonies. Several observed and potential differences were examined between populations of black/hybrid fire ants and populations of red imported fire ants. Lower nest density of monogyne blacka nd hybrid fire ant populations (range = 19-52% of mean nest dnesity at other sites) required modification of sampling protocols. Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae), a phorid fly collected from Las Flores, Argentina, where S. richtere is present, was established at the Mississippi sites because it preferentially attacks black and hybrid imported fire ants; at the other sites, P. tricuspis, a phorid that parasitizes red imported fire ants, has been released. Other potential differences in management of black, hybrid, and red imported fire ants are discussed.