Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Biological Control of Pests Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195612
Title: SURVEY OF RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT POPULATIONS IN NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI

Author
item Streett, Douglas
item Allen, Margaret - Meg
item Pranschke, Anthony

Submitted to: Imported Fire Ants Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2006
Publication Date: 9/11/2006
Citation: Streett, D.A., Allen, M.L., Pranschke, A.M. 2006. Survey of Red Imported Fire Ant Populations in North Central Mississippi. Imported Fire Ants Conference Proceedings. pg. 104-106.

Interpretive Summary: The red imported fire ant population in northern Mississippi has been expanding into the range of the black imported fire ant. A study was undertaken to determine the distribution of the monogyne( colonies that will accept only a single queen) and polygyne (colonies which contain numerous functional queens ) red imported fire ant populations in northern and central Mississippi. Results from this study suggest that the spread of red imported fire ants further north in western Mississippi may be due to larger polygyne red imported fire ant populations. This work will benefit researchers, and the public throughout the range of imported fire ants.

Technical Abstract: The red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren occurs as two socially distinct types; either monogyne colonies that will accept only a single queen or as polygyne colonies which contain numerous functional queens. A study was undertaken to determine the distribution of the monogyne and polygyne RIFA populations in northern and central Mississippi. A majority of the polygyne RIFA colonies were found in western Mississippi. The evidence suggests that the encroachment of RIFA populations further north along the western side of Mississippi may have been due to larger polygyne RIFA populations.