Examining the prevalence of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (Solinviviridae: Invictavirus) in Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) alates collected in North Florida

Authors

  • Donna P Arnold Florida A&M University, Center for Biological Control, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
  • Subramani P Balasubramani Florida A&M University, Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, USA
  • Steven M Valles USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
  • Benjamin A Hottel Florida A&M University, Center for Biological Control, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA

Abstract

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), originally is from South America and currently infests over 128 million ha in the US. Its presence has caused significant social, environmental, and economic impacts. Over the decades, chemical insecticides have controlled these pest ants successfully. However, this method is costly and unsustainable because red imported fire ant re-establishes colonies quickly after chemical application. Thus, it is important to develop additional strategies for managing the red imported fire ant in the US. Solenopsis invicta virus 3 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus specific for S. invicta that offers promise as a classical biological control agent or biopesticide for control of S. invicta. Surveys were conducted to determine the prevalence of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 in alates of S. invicta collected from 5 urban areas (Tallahassee, Pensacola, Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Panama City) and 5 adjacent rural areas (Quincy, Jay, Macclenny, Lake City, and Blountstown) of North Florida, USA, using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique. The prevalence of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 varied widely from city to city. No statistically significant differences in alate infection rate was found between urban and rural cities sampled. Areas in which no infections of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 were detected may be good candidates for the introduction of this virus as a biological control agent to help manage this pest locally.

 

Resumen

La hormiga roja de fuego importada, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), es de origen Sudaméricano y actualmente infesta más de 128 millones de hectáreas en los Estados Unidos. Su presencia ha provocado importantes impactos sociales, ambientales y económicos. Durante décadas, los insecticidas químicos han controlado estas plagas de hormigas con éxito. Sin embargo, este método es costoso e insostenible porque la hormiga roja de fuego importada restablece las colonias rápidamente después de la aplicación de productos químicos. Por lo tanto, es importante desarrollar estrategias adicionales para el manejo de la hormiga roja de fuego importada en los EE. UU. Solenopsis invicta 3 es un virus de ARN monocatenario de sentido positivo específico para S. invicta que es prometedor como agente de control biológico clásico o biopesticida para el control de S. invicta. Se realizó un sondeo para determinar la prevalencia del virus Solenopsis invicta 3 en individuos alados de S. invicta recolectados de 5 áreas urbanas (Tallahassee, Pensacola, Jacksonville, Gainesville, y Ciudad de Panamá) y 5 áreas rurales adyacentes (Quincy, Jay, Macclenny, Lake City, y Blountstown) del norte de Florida, EE. UU., utilizando la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcripción inversa. La prevalencia del virus Solenopsis invicta 3 varió ampliamente de una ciudad a otra. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la tasa de infección de los individuos alados entre las ciudades rurales y urbanas muestreadas. Las áreas en las que no se detectaron infecciones por el virus Solenopsis invicta 3 pueden ser buenas candidatas para la introducción de este virus como agente de control biológico para ayudar a manejar esta plaga localmente.

Key Words: red imported fire ants; biological control; Solenopsis invicta virus 3

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Published

2021-05-24

Issue

Vol. 104, No. 1 (March 2021)

Section

Research Papers

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