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» Southeast Area
» Gainesville, Florida
» Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology
» Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research
» Docs
» Accomplishments
Past Accomplishments
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Discovered sulfluramids, a new class of delayed action insecticide for control of ants, cockroaches, and termites |
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Discovered and developed 7 chemicals for use in fire ant baits - 5 are commercially available today |
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Discovered fire ant recruitment, attractant, and induction pheromones |
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Established benefit of pheromone-enhanced baits |
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Discovered hybridization between the red and black imported fire ants |
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Discovered fire ant repellents |
Recent Accomplishments
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Discovered the life cycle of phorid flies and methods to mass rear and field release them |
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Released two Phorid fly species in the field for fire ant control |
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Discovered pathogen Thelohania solenopsae in U.S. and methods to infect field populations |
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Discovered a new spore type in Thelohania solenopsae |
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Discovered Mattesia sp., a new pathogen of fire ants in the U.S |
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Developed PCR detection method for Thelohania solenopsae |
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Determined that fire ant alarm pheromones attract Phorid flies |
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Field release and evaluations of 2 fire ant biocontrol agents in 11 southern states |
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Initiated first Areawide program for the suppression of fire ants using IPM in 5 states |
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Discovered fire ant attractant for bait enhancement |
Future Goals
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Search for and develop additional fire ant biological control agents |
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Develop technology for mass production & delivery of successful biocontrol agents |
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Transfer technology of new biocontrol agents, and formulations to private industry and other federal and state government agencies |
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Develop novel uses for pheromones in fire ant control |
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Transfer repellent and attractant technology to commercial interests |
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Expand molecular biology & genetic studies |
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Implement Areawide integrated management programs against fire ants |
