scholarly journals Red Imported Fire Ants Reduce Invertebrate Abundance, Richness, and Diversity in Gopher Tortoise Burrows

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Deborah M. Epperson ◽  
Craig R. Allen ◽  
Katharine F. E. Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Fire Ants ◽  
Fire Ant ◽  
Invertebrate Community ◽  
Gopher Tortoise ◽  
Ant Predation ◽  
Invertebrate Abundance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Imported Fire Ants ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ants

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows support diverse commensal invertebrate communities that may be of special conservation interest. We investigated the impact of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) on the invertebrate burrow community at 10 study sites in southern Mississippi, sampling burrows (1998–2000) before and after bait treatments to reduce fire ant populations. We sampled invertebrates using an ant bait attractant for ants and burrow vacuums for the broader invertebrate community and calculated fire ant abundance, invertebrate abundance, species richness, and species diversity. Fire ant abundance in gopher tortoise burrows was reduced by >98% in treated sites. There was a positive treatment effect on invertebrate abundance, diversity, and species richness from burrow vacuum sampling which was not observed in ant sampling from burrow baits. Management of fire ants around burrows may benefit both threatened gopher tortoises by reducing potential fire ant predation on hatchlings, as well as the diverse burrow invertebrate community. Fire-ant management may also benefit other species utilizing tortoise burrows, such as the endangered Dusky Gopher Frog and Schaus swallowtail butterfly. This has implications for more effective biodiversity conservation via targeted control of the invasive fire ant at gopher tortoise burrows.

scholarly journals Effects of Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) on the Species Structure of Ant Communities in South China

Sociobiology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Yue Lu ◽  
Bi-qiu Wu ◽  
Yi-Juan Xu ◽  
Ling Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
South China ◽  
Solenopsis Invicta ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Fire Ants ◽  
Species Structure ◽  
Ant Communities ◽  
Solenopsis Invicta Buren ◽  
Imported Fire Ants ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ants

We evaluated the effects of invasive red imported fire ants (RIFAs), Solenopsis invicta Buren, on native ant communities at three habitats in South China. By using paired control and treatment plots, the change in diversity and community structure of native ants due to the invasion of red imported fire ants could be observed. Ant species richness was reduced by 46 and 33% at RIFA-infested lawn and pasture habitats, respectively; however, the ant species richness in the lichee orchard was not affected by red imported fire ants. Our results indicated that red imported fire ants became one of several dominant species or the only dominant species in all three habitats in South China.

Fire Ant-Detecting Canines: A Complementary Method in Detecting Red Imported Fire Ants

2011 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Min Lin ◽  
Wei-Lien Chi ◽  
Chung-Chi Lin ◽  
Yu-Ching Tseng ◽  
Wang-Ting Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fire Ants ◽  
Fire Ant ◽  
Complementary Method ◽  
Imported Fire Ants ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ants

scholarly journals Red Imported Fire Ants and Their Impacts on Wildlife

EDIS ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 2006 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Willcox ◽  
William M. Giuliano
Keyword(s):  
Solenopsis Invicta ◽  
Fire Ants ◽  
Fire Ant ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ant ◽  
Solenopsis Geminata ◽  
Wildlife Ecology ◽  
Imported Fire Ants ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ants ◽  
Imported Fire Ant

Two species of fire ant are found in Florida, the notorious red imported fire ant (RIFA; Solenopsis invicta; Figure 1) and the less common native fire ant (Solenopsis geminata). This document is WEC 207 and one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. First published: April 2006.

Toxicity and Sublethal Effect of Triflumezopyrim Against Red Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 1753-1760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
Fei Zhao ◽  
Qiuhong Tao ◽  
Jiayi Li ◽  
Yijuan Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Sublethal Effects ◽  
Fire Ants ◽  
Fire Ant ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ant ◽  
Invasive Ants ◽  
Sugar Water ◽  
Imported Fire Ants ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ants ◽  
Imported Fire Ant

Abstract The use of insecticide remains the frontline method in controlling red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), one of the worst invasive ants in the world. Neonicotinoids are effective ingredients in toxic baits for suppressing S. invicta population. To search for new and effective insecticides, the toxicity and sublethal effects of triflumezopyrim, a novel neonicotinoid analog, were evaluated against S. invicta. No high mortality of ants was observed after they fed on sugar water containing 120 μg/ml triflumezopyrim for 72 h; however, 100% mortality was achieved after ants fed on sugar water containing 10 μg/ml triflumezopyrim for 2 wk. Furthermore, at 10 μg/ml, triflumezopyrim did not inhibit ant food consumption within the 7-d treatment period. These results indicate that triflumezopyrim is a slow acting toxin and may be qualified as bait toxin for managing red imported fire ants. At 1 μg/ml, triflumezopyrim did not cause any significant effect on colony growth within 56 d and did not inhibit the food consumption during the whole trial period. At 10 μg/ml, triflumezopyrim displayed a significant reduction of aggressiveness during confrontation with native ants, resulting in higher mortality than the ants in the control. However, at 1 μg/ml, triflumezopyrim did not show any significant impact on both aggressiveness and mortality of the red imported fire ants.

Rate of Removal of Fenoxycarb (Logic®) Fire Ant Bait by Red Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Treated Pastures

1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Scott Ferguson ◽  
Alan J. Hosmer ◽  
Michael E. Green
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Fire Ants ◽  
Fire Ant ◽  
Paspalum Notatum ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ant ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Solenopsis Invicta Buren ◽  
Imported Fire Ants ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ants

Field studies were conducted in Vero Beach, FL, in November 1993 and 1994 to determine the rate of removal of Logic® fire ant bait by red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, from treated improved pastures of bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum Fluegge. Logic® fire ant bait was applied at the maximum label rate of 1.68 kg/ha (16.8 g ai/ha). In 1993, fire ants had removed approximately 35% of the granules by 4 h after application and about 67% by 12 h. By 24 h, 82% had been removed. By the last count (48 h after application) about 95% had been removed. In 1994, the granules were removed slightly faster, with about 60% removed by 4 h and 92% by 24 h after application. Nearly 97% of the granules had been removed by the last count (30 h after application). In 1993, several mounds of the ant, Dorymyrmex bureni Trager, were found in the test area while in 1994 only red imported fire ant mounds were present. The results indicate that Logic® fire ant bait is found and harvested very rapidly by fire ant workers under favorable foraging conditions and that a dose which will provide effective population reduction can be obtained in 12 to 24 h after application at 1.68 kg/ha. Additionally, with its low use rate, specificity to certain insects and rapid removal by fire ants, Logic® fire ant bait when used according to label poses minimal risk to non-target organisms.

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