Solenopsis invicta virus 3: Further host-specificity tests with native Solenopsis ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Authors

  • Sanford D. Porter USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Dr., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
  • Steven M. Valles USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Dr., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
  • Alexander L. Wild Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois 61801, USA
  • Roberta Dieckmann Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, 43-420 Trader Place, Indio, California 92201, USA
  • Nicola J. R. Plowes School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA

Keywords:

Solenopsis invicta, biocontrol, host range, thief ant, native fire ant, SINV-3

Abstract

A thorough understanding of host specificity is essential before pathogens can be used as biopesticides or self-sustaining biocontrol agents. In order to better define the host range of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3), we collected and exposed colonies of 2 native fire ants (Solenopsis aurea Wheeler, Solenopsis xyloni McCook) and 2 native thief ants (Solenopsis carolinensis Forel, Solenopsis molesta [Say]) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to the SINV-3 virus. Despite extreme exposure to the virus, active, replicating infections resulted only in colonies of the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren). These results, combined with a previous study of ants from 13 other genera, strongly support the proposition that the SINV-3 virus can be used safely as either a biopesticide or a self-sustaining biocontrol agent in parts of California, the Caribbean, and other regions of the world where this virus does yet not occur.

 

Resumen

Una comprensión completa de la especificidad de hospederos es esencial para poder utilizar patógenos como bioplaguicidas o agentes de biocontrol autosostenibles. Para determinar el rango de hospederos del virus Solenospsis invicta 3 (SINV-3), colectamos y expusimos el virus SINV-3 a colonias de 2 especies de hormigas de fuego nativas de EE.UU (Solenopsis aurea Wheeler, Solenopsis xyloni McCook) y 2 especies nativas de hormigas ladronas (Solenopsis carolinensis Forel, Solenopsis molesta [Say]) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). A pesar de la exposición extrema al virus, sólo se observaron infecciones activas y replicantes en las colonias de la hormiga de fuego importada (Solenopsis invicta Buren). Estos resultados, combinados con los de un estudio previo de otros 13 géneros de hormigas, apoyan firmemente la propuesta de que el virus SINV-3 puede ser utilizado con seguridad como bioplaguicida o agente de biocontrol autosostenible en áreas de California, el Caribe y otras regiones del mundo donde este virus no se encuentra todavía.

 

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Issue

Vol. 98, No. 1 (March 2015)

Section

Research Papers

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