Natural occurring compounds/materials as alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides for use in fire ant management

Authors: Chen, Jian; Oi, David

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/8/2020
Publication Date: 11/4/2020
Citation: Chen, J., Oi, D.H. 2020. Natural occurring compounds/materials as alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides for use in fire ant management. Insects. 11:758. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110758.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110758

Interpretive Summary: Red imported fire ants are a notorious pest, impacting humans, livestock, pets and wildlife due to their venomous stings and causing billions of dollars in damages annually. Synthetic insecticides are major tool used to control this pest. There is an ever-increasing public concern about the adverse effects of synthetic insecticides. Tremendous effort has been made in searching for alternatives. In addition to biological control, physical and culture practices, natural products continue to be one of the most attractive sources of alternatives. Naturally occurring compounds/materials have been successfully used as active ingredients in fire ant baits, contact-based control products, repellents and fumigants. In this article, we summarized the synthetic insecticides that are currently used in managing fire ants, available alternative products in the current U.S. market, and academic efforts in searching for fire ant natural toxins, repellents and fumigants.

Technical Abstract: The invasive red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (hereafter, fire ants), are a significant threat to public health and a danger to livestock, pets and wildlife due to their venomous stings. As one of the worst invasive species, the fire ant has invaded many countries and regions and become a globally significant pest. The current major tool to manage fire ants are synthetic insecticides that are used largely as either as stomach poisons in bait products or contact insecticides in spray, broadcast, drench, and dust products for area and nest treatments. In addition to these insecticide products, repellents and fumigants can also be useful in some unique scenarios. The ever-increasing public concern about the adverse effects of synthetic insecticides on health and the environment has been a driving force for searching for safer alternatives to control fire ants. Tremendous effort has been made in developing biological control for managing fire ants; however, natural products continue to be one of the most attractive sources of alternatives to the synthetic insecticides. Here, we summarized the synthetic insecticides that are currently used in managing fire ants, available alternative products in the current U.S. market, and academic efforts in searching for fire ant natural toxins, repellents and fumigants.