Introduction of fire ant biological control agents into the Coachella Valley of California

Authors

  • David Oi USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA;
  • Steven Valles USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA;
  • Sanford Porter USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA;
  • Christopher Cavanaugh Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, Indio, California 92201, USA
  • Gregory White Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116, USA;
  • Jennifer Henke Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, Indio, California 92201, USA

Keywords:

Solenopsis invicta, Pseudacteon, Kneallhazia solenopsae, Solenopsis invicta virus 3, pathogen

Abstract

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is a stinging, invasive ant from South America that has plagued the southern US since the 1930s. It is currently established in parts of California, including the Coachella Valley. We introduced and established the fire ant decapitating phorid flies, Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier and Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae); Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (Picornavirales: Solinviviridae) (SINV-3); and the microsporidian fire ant pathogen Kneallhazia solenopsae Knell, Allan, & Hazard (Microsporida: Thelohaniidae) for the biological control of fire ants in this region of California. This is the first establishment of fire ant decapitating phorid flies in California. In addition, we demonstrated human-mediated establishment of SINV-3 and K. solenopsae in hot, dry, but irrigated, urban desert habitat.


 

Sumario

La hormiga roja de fuego importada, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), es una hormiga invasora de América del Sur que pica y que ha plagado el sur de los EE. UU. desde la década de los 1930. Actualmente, está establecida en partes de California, incluido el Valle de Coachella. Introdujimos y establecimos las moscas fóridas, Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier y Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae) que decapitan a la hormiga de fuego; Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (Picornavirales: Solinviviridae) (SINV-3); y el patógeno microsporidian hormiga de fuego Kneallhazia solenopsae Knell, Allan, & Hazard (Microsporida: Thelohaniidae) para el control biológico de las hormigas de fuego en esta región de California. Este es el primer establecimiento de las moscas fóridas que decapitan las hormigas de fuego en la California. Además, demostramos el establecimiento de SINV-3 y K. solenopsae por medio de la interacción humana en un habitat desértico urbano, seco, pero irrigado.

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Author Biography

David Oi, USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA;

Imported Fire Ant & Household Insects Unit

Research Entomologist

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Published

2019-04-27

Issue

Section

Scientific Notes