scholarly journals Alleles and algorithms: The role of genetic analyses and remote sensing technology in an ant eradication program

NeoBiota ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
pp. 55-73
Author(s):  
Ross Wylie ◽  
Jane Oakey ◽  
Elizabeth R. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ant ◽  
Invasive Ants ◽  
Genetic Analyses ◽  
Eradication Program ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
The Social ◽  
Ant Eradication ◽  
Imported Fire Ant

Eradication programs for invasive ants are often hampered by a lack of effective tools to detect, contain and kill the pests. Among the range of tools employed in the course of a 20-year eradication program for red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, in Australia, two of the most crucial for success are genetic analysis at both individual colony and population scales, and remote sensing for the detection of S. invicta mounds over large areas. Several genetic analyses are used by the program as an everyday operational tool to guide the eradication effort; for example, genotyping of the social form determines where and how far we need to search and treat, whereas nest relatedness derived from microsatellites aids in deciding when and where to target investigations into human-assisted movement of the pest. Microsatellite genotyping can determine the origin of new invasions into the country and has been used to verify the eradication of six distinct incursions of S. invicta in Australia, as well as demonstrating the pressure being exerted on the remaining Queensland population by the current eradication activities. Remote sensing played a key role in delimiting the extent of the S. invicta infestation in southeast Queensland in 2015, and in the future will assist in both delimitation and in verifying eradication of this ant in treatment areas as part of the proof of freedom process. Unquestionably, without these tools, the battle to eradicate S. invicta from Australia would be severely constrained, if not lost. These technologies may be applicable in management or eradication programs for S. invicta worldwide, and potentially for other invasive ant species.

Spore morphotypes of Thelohania solenopsae (microsporidia) described microscopically and confirmed by PCR of individual spores microdissected from smears by position ablative laser microbeam microscopy

Microbiology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 150 (5) ◽  
pp. 1261-1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuliya Y. Sokolova ◽  
Lacey R. McNally ◽  
James R. Fuxa ◽  
S. Bradleigh Vinson
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ant ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Laser Microbeam ◽  
Laser Pressure Catapulting ◽  
First Time ◽  
Imported Fire Ant ◽  
Ablative Laser

Development of Thelohania solenopsae, a parasite of the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), until recently was thought to include formation of two types of spores: unicellular meiospores, maturing inside sporophorous vesicles in sets of eight (octospores); and Nosema-like binuclear free spores. Megaspores, discovered in 2001, develop primarily in alates and are morphologically distinct from the two previously known types of spores. The role of megaspores in the T. solenopsae life cycle, as well as their existence, has been questioned. The current research includes light and electron microscopic descriptions of the three major spore morphotypes characteristic of T. solenopsae development. In addition, individual octospores and megaspores were isolated into groups of 8–20 from methanol-fixed and Calcofluor-stained smears of the infected ants for subsequent PCR analysis by the laser pressure catapulting function of a position ablative laser microbeam microscope, a technique applied for the first time to research of microsporidia. The PCR-amplified SSU rDNA nucleotide sequences from octospores and megaspores were identical. This, along with the consistency with which megaspores are detected in infected ants, demonstrates that megaspores are integral to the life cycle of T. solenopsae.

Exotic Ants of the Asia-Pacific: Invasion, National Response, and Ongoing Needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yijuan Xu ◽  
Edward L. Vargo ◽  
Kazuki Tsuji ◽  
Ross Wylie
Keyword(s):  
Solenopsis Invicta ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ant ◽  
Invasive Ants ◽  
National Response ◽  
Ecological Problems ◽  
Imported Fire Ant

Human activity has facilitated the introduction of many exotic species via global trade. Asia-Pacific countries comprise one of the most economically and trade-active regions in the world, which makes it one of the most vulnerable regions to invasive species, including ants. There are currently over 60 exotic ant species in the Asia-Pacific, with the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, among the most destructive. Exotic ants pose many economic and ecological problems for the region. Countries in the Asia-Pacific have dealt with the problem of exotic ants in very different ways, and there has been an overall lack of preparedness. To improve the management of risks associated with invasive ants, we recommend that countries take action across the biosecurity spectrum, spanning prevention, containment, and quarantine. The creation of an Asia-Pacific network for management of invasive ants should help prevent their introduction and mitigate their impacts. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Entomology, Volume 67 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Scientists as citizens and knowers in the detection of deforestation in the Amazon

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Monteiro ◽  
Raoni Rajão
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Amazon Rainforest ◽  
Objective Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Practices ◽  
Remote Sensing Technology ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
The World ◽  
Complex Picture ◽  
Shed Light

This paper examines how scientists deal with tensions emerging from their role as providers of objective knowledge and as citizens concerned with how their research influences policy and politics in Brazil. This is accomplished through an ethnographic account of scientists using remote sensing technology, of their knowledge-making activities and of the broader socio-political controversies that permeate the detection of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Strategies for mitigating uncertainty are central aspects of the knowledge practices analyzed, bringing controversies ‘external’ to the laboratory ‘into’ the lab, making these boundaries conceptually problematic. In particular, the anticipation of alternative interpretations of rainforest cover is a crucial way that scientists bring the world into the lab, helping to shed light on how scientists, usually seen and analyzed as isolated, are in fact often in constant dialogue with the broader political controversies related to their work. These insights help question the idea that the monitoring of deforestation through remote sensing is a form of secluded research, drawing a more complex picture of the dual role of scientists as knowledge producers and concerned citizens.

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document