Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2005, hurricane Katrina rampaged south Louisiana and was quickly followed by hurricane Rita. We conducted FAST or Fire Ant Surge Threat where we publicized the areas where fire ants were located and handed out bait at distribution centers and through the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control board. Information was disseminated through numerous talks to residents and at garden shows. More than 60,000 informative door hangers were distributed along with 15,000 tri-fold fliers explaining the FAST program. I gave numerous talks to pest control operators, licensing academies, and garden clubs disseminating information on how to identify pest ants in Louisiana. We identified several new ant species in Louisiana in 2009 and 2010 and disseminated that information through presentations and scientific literature. We conducted a survey of the county agents in every parish in the state to determine the extent of the highly invasive and pestiferous crazy ant, a new species for the state. I responded to the BP Gulf oil disaster in 2010 by continuing surveys in the marsh and comparing the results to previous data. Information was disseminated through an Opinion piece for The Scientist alerting life scientists all over the nation and the world of the issues with access, funding and conducting science in the aftermath of this disaster. After an invited Op-Ed article was published in the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune, I was interviewed on NPR's Science Friday, WWL in New Orleans. My article was syndicated in NEWSWEEK and several other national and international newspapers. I was interviewed by journalists all over the world and was featured in an hour-long program by France 24 television. Though my World Book articles, people are educated about the biology, ecology, and behavior of ants. I co-authored chapter in Ant Ecology which was published in 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Seth Johnson, Lane Foil,and Dearl Sanders worked with me on field research on fire ants. Claudia Husseneder collaborated with me on laboratory studies on the symbionts of fire ants. TARGET AUDIENCES: Scientists, land managers, farmers, ranchers, city planners, city employees, gardeners, home owners, pest management professionals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
My research in disturbance ecology after hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike and continuing after the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion has demonstrated that catastrophic natural and technological ecological disturbances are detectable by observing ants. I have forged new collaborations and am pursuing disturbance ecology. My call for a national panel of scientists to investigate natural and technological disasters is currently under consideration by the National Science Foundation and was one of the recommendations adopted by the Presidents Oil Spill Commission in their final report Jan 11, 2011. We now know that some of the micro-organisms in guts of fire ants are acquired through the food they eat and are unique to the localle in which they live. The symbionts we identified do not appear to be obligate. This offers a launch-point for another researcher to transform bacteria to feed to fire ants which may lead to their suppression. Also, we identified that biological control combined with mechanical control or grading pastures may offer farmers a long-term method for reducing fire ant numbers. This is the first, cost effective method of fire ant suppression that has been offered to farmers with large pastures since Mirex was banned. We have continued to provide information on how to control pest ants in areas where they are a problem. Numerous publications outline the intricacies of management and supression of fire ants, Argentine ants, and new-found crazy ants in Louisiana. Different publications were targeted to scientists, home-owners, gardeners, ranchers, and land managers. The publications combined with training on ant identification has increased the knowledge of the Louisiana populace and in turn reduced the use of pesticides. Finally, in 2010, I led a panel at the conclusion of the National Conference on Imported Fire Ants on gaps in knowledge that I had identified in fire ant research and extension using frequently asked questions in the eXtension database. By public mandate, I identified areas where we must provide information to the public in the coming years. With experts from the USDA and Auburn University, I led a discussion among the 200+ attendees at the meeting in a conversation on how to address those gaps. I wrote a summary that appeared in the proceedings of the meeting. That summary will serve as a guideline for future research for attendees and other people interested in research and extension in fire ants.
Publications
- Hooper-Bui, L.M. 2010. Op-Ed: A Gulf Science Blackout. NY Times. 24 August 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/opinion/25hooper-Bui.html.
- Hooper-Bui, L.M. 2010. Oils Stain on Science. The Scientist. http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57610/.
- Hooper-Bui and Seymour. 2007. Leaf-cutting Ants: Miniature Town Builders. Louisiana Agriculture. 50:18-19
- Hooper-Bui. 2007. Community-wide control of Argentine ants in Louisiana. Louisiana Agriculture. 50:20-21.
- Benjamin Adams, Rachel Strecker, Daniel O Brien, and Linda Hooper-Bui. 2010. Raft behavior of red imported fire ants. Proceedings of the National Conference on Urban Entomology. Pp 23-25. http://ncue.tamu.edu/proceedings/pdf/2010_proceedings.pdf
- Linda M. Hooper-Bui, R. Strecker, X. Chen, D. Aguillard and A. Miller. 2010. Supercolonies of crazy ants in Louisiana. Proceedings of the National Conference on Imported Fire Ants. Pp 13-16. http://www.extension.org/mediawiki/files/c/c4/2010_Annual_IFA_Confere nce.pdf.
- Linda Hooper-Bui, Kathy Flanders, Jian Chen and Xing Ping Hu. 2010. Gaps in knowledge in research and extension in fire ants. Proceedings of the National Conference on Imported Fire Ants. Pp 74-80. http://www.extension.org/mediawiki/files/c/c4/2010_Annual_IFA_Confere nce.pdf.
- Hooper-Bui, B. Wiltz, M. Seymour. and L. Womack. 2007. Fire ants in New Orleans post Katrina. Louisiana Agriculture. 50:22-23.
- Wiltz, B. A. and L. M. Hooper-Bui. Effect of Hurricane Katrina Flooding on Ants of Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes, Louisiana. In Proceedings of the 2006 Annual Red Imported Fire Ant Conference, Mobile, AL, March 28-30, 2006.
- B.M. Drees, C.L. Barr, S.B. Vinson, R.E. Gold, M.E. Merchant, E. Brown, K. Engler, M. Keck, P. Nester, D. Kostroun, K. Flanders, F. Graham, D. Pollet, L.M. Hooper-Bui, P. Beckley, P.M. Horton, T. Davis, W. Gardner, K. Loftin, K. Vail, R. Wright, W. Smith, D.C. Thompson, J. Kabashima, L. Blake, P. Koehler, D. Oi, A-M. Callcott. 2006. Managing fire ant in urban areas. 30 pages. Authors not listed in order of contribution.
- Linda M. Hooper-Bui, Rachel Strecker, Xuan Chen, Dillard W. Aguillard, and Ashley Miller. 2010. Crazy ant supercolonies in Louisiana. Proceedings of the National Conference on Urban Entomology. Pp 116-120. http://ncue.tamu.edu/proceedings/pdf/2010_proceedings.pdf
- L.M. Hooper-Bui, and A.M. Pranschke. 2006. Effect of fipronil and bifenthrin treatment zones on Solenopsis invicta Buren and other ant activity around Easter Bluebird, Sialia sialis L., nest boxes. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. 22: 87-98.
- K. O Brien and L.M. Hooper-Bui. 2005. Hunger in red imported fire ants and their behavioral response to two liquid bait products. Econ. Ent. 98:2153-2159.
- B. Lafluer, L.M. Hooper-Bui, E.P. Mumma, J.P. Geaghan. 2005. Soil fertility and plant growth in soils from pine forests and plantations: Effect of invasive red imported fire ants Solenopsis invicta (Buren). Pedobiologia. 49: 415-423.
- C. Barr, T. Davis, K. Flanders, W. Smith, L.M. Hooper-Bui, P. Koehler, K. Vail, W. Gardener, B. Drees, T. Fuchs. 2005. Broadcast Baits for Fire Ant Control.
- L.M. Hooper-Bui. 2005. Managing Argentine ants in Louisiana. Bug Biz. Pub No. 2916. 2 pages.
- S.T. Dash, L.M. Hooper-Bui, and M.A. Seymour. 2005. Pest Ants of Louisiana: A Guide to Their Identification, Biology, and Control. Pub No. 2915. 28 color pages.
- K.S. O Brien and L.M. Hooper-Bui. 2005. Feeding in Solenopsis invicta (Buren): effects if sucrose concentration, viscosity, and boric acid on total crop load and intake rate. Proceedings of the International Congress of Urban Pests. Singapore, Singapore.
- L.M. Hooper-Bui, J. Zhi-Sheng, and J. Rosson. 2005. Argentine ants in Louisiana: Ant-ant competition and long term treatment with insecticides. Proceedings of the International Congress of Urban Pests. Singapore, Singapore.
- Adams, B. J., X. Chen and L. M. Hooper-Bui. 2010. Odontomachus clarus Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Reported in Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana Midsouth Entomologist. 3: 104-105.
- L.M. Hooper-Bui, and A.M. Pranschke. 2006. Effect of fipronil and bifenthrin treatment zones on Solenopsis invicta Buren and other ant activity around Easter Bluebird, Sialia sialis L., nest boxes. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. 22: 87-98.
- Foil, L.D, L.M. Hooper-Bui, D. Colby, G. Gentry, W. Hilbun, C. Husseneder, L.M. Inmon, S. Johnson. 2010. Balancing benefits and damage from fire ants in pastures. Louisiana Agriculture. 53:32-33.
|
Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We presented accurate information to the media and other outlets through video, personal TV and radio interviews, and print media about invasive ants. We discovered an undetermined invasive, unicolonial species in Port Allen and have continuously worked with local authorities to prevent the spread of this new invasive ant species. We presented information on the identification of pest ants in workshops in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Participants left the workshops equipped to identify all the major pest species of ants in Louisiana. We worked closely with New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board and the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans to identify, locate and begin to suppress and possibly eradicate a new invasive trap-jaw ant in New Orleans. We continue to work with approximately 40 land owners to address problems with ants on a large scale. We explored the use of orange oil as a natural means of controlling pest ants. We also explored the use of liquid baits in two species of ants that are typically not targeted with baits. We initiated a state-wide survey of ants in Louisiana. We provided information on Army ants and Leafcutting ants to the general public through an encyclopedic publication. We investigated the effect of flooding on fire ant mound movement. I collaborated with a colleague to contribute to a new book called "Ant Ecology." PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: General public: increase knowledge of ants and their importance. Pest Management Professionals: decrease pesticide use, reduce costs of business Home and land owners: reduce impact of invasive ants, reduce cost of control PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Public education about invasive ants may reduce the spread of these ants decreasing the cost of control of invasive ants. Early discovery of invasive ants also will reduce the spread and the cost of control. Our work with the authorities in Port Allen may reduce the cost of control of this invasive ant that forms supercolonies. Correct identification of ants reduces the amount of pesticides used, in turn reducing costs and impact of the pesticides on the environment. As more people are trained to correctly identify ants, the better their stewardship of pesticides is and the better the business practices become. Workshops and the state-wide survey support this outcome. Our work with the NOMTCB and Audubon Zoo will lead to an eradication of the invasive ant in Louisiana and reduce the costs of damage to ecosystems and future control measures. Land owners often have problems with ants on a large scale. Our preliminary work in the laboratory with liquid baits and with orange oil will eventually provide cost-effective ant management techniques to landowners with pest ants. We will reduce repair costs and costs of replacing trees and other damaged landscaping. A better understanding of the effect of flooding on fire ants will help us in disaster situations to predict the behavior of the ants and minimize the impact of fire ants on humans. Through several publications, we provided up-to-date information about invasive ants and native ants that will help researchers and the general public make accurate decisions on ant problems.
Publications
- Lach L., and Hooper-Bui L. M. 2009 Consequences of ant invasions. In Ant Ecology (eds Lach L., Parr C., Abbott K.), pp. 257-281. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
- Hooper-Bui, L.M. 2009. Army ants. World Book Encyclopedia.
- Hooper-Bui, L.M. 2009. Leafcutting ants. World Book Encyclopedia.
- Hooper-Bui, 2009 Plan for Managing Crazy Ants in Louisiana, LSU AgCenter website.
- Hooper-Bui, 2009. Crazy ants poised to invade Louisiana, LSU AgCenter website.
|
Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology was used to map the nests of Texas leaf-cuttings ants in western Louisiana. These maps were used to predict the presence of subterranean ant chambers and galleries. During nest excavations, these maps allowed the excavator to avoid debris and only target chambers within the nest. We worked closely with the US Forest Service on this project and shared our GPR knowledge. Identification of ants is the key to successful and environmentally-friendly control. Numerous seminars on ant identification, biology, and control were given in the last year to pest management professionals, zoo keepers at the Audubon Zoo, City of New Orleans employees, and other interested parties. This education process is ongoing. Results also were reported in five publications and ten presentations. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Recent hurricanes have allowed us to perfect our sampling skills and to monitor the spread of other invasive ant species throughout the state. Fire ants were extirpated from many areas of South Louisiana following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Within one year, small colonies had recolonized areas affected by storm surge. Following hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, fire ants were extirpated once again from areas that experienced storm surge, but these ants and other invasive ants species are quickly recolonizing affected areas. In May 2008, we reported Argentine ants in Cameron Parish for the first time. Sampling after Gustav and Ike revealed that the Argentine ants had survived the storm surge in some areas in Cameron Parish. For many years, scientists at LSU Agcenter have been advocating broadcast bait applications for treatment of fire ants. Many homeowners and others are interested in "green" methods of controlling fire ants. Although some baits qualify as green control methods, lack of public understanding of baits and proper bait application make some persons apprehensive about just how environmentally friendly baits are. Recently, we have tested Orange Oil as a green alternative for ant control. Initial tests indicate that even dilute (2%) solutions of orange oil are effective as an ant control solution. While it is a natural product it is not necessarily safe for humans to handle without proper safety equipment. It is necessary to avoid breathing in the fumes associated with Orange Oil and to avoid coming into direct contact with it. We continue to explore how fire ants drink liquid baits of different viscosities. This work will result in more effective baits.
Publications
- Dash ST, Hooper-Bui LM (2008) Species Diversity of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Louisiana. Annals of the Entomological Society of America: Vol. 101, No. 6 pp. 1056-1066
- Hooper-Bui, L. 2008. Ant. World Book Encyclopedia. p. 520-529.
- Lee, Albert H.,Claudia Husseneder, Linda Hooper-Bui, 2008. Culture-independent identification of gut bacteria in fourth-instar red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, larvae. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, Volume 98, Issue 1, May 2008, Pages 20-33.
- Valles, Steven Strong, Charles Oi, David Porter, Sanford Pereira, Roberto Vander Meer, Robert Hashimoto, Yoshifumi, Hooper-Bui, Linda, Sanchez-Arroyo, Hussein, Davis, Tim, Karpakakunjaram, Vedham, Vail, Karen, Fudd, Graham, Briano, Juan, Calcaterra, Luis, Gilbert, Larry, Ward, Rufina, Ward, Kenneth, Oliver, Jason, Taniguchi, Glenn, Thompson, David. 2008. Phenology, Distribution, and Host Specificity of Solenopsis invicta Virus. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 96:18-27.
|
Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Paper published in Journal of Invertebrate Pathology.
Impacts
Northern Bobwhite quail has an average yearly decline of 3% in the United States from 1966-2005. Factors implicated in decline include habitat destruction, alteration of farm practices, and red imported fire ant (RIFA) (Solenopsis invicta Buren). We determined if RIFA affect nesting of bobwhites and at what stage in nesting birds are most vulnerable. In 2005, six 4.45 ha plots, each with four aviary housing breeding bobwhites from Louisiana captive stock, were paired by habitat feature. Three plots were broadcast-treated aerially with Amdro (0.73% hydramethylnon). Two aviaries per plot contained captive-bred bobwhites from Arkansas, whereas the other two contained Louisiana captives. Mean number of nests, eggs, and chicks did not differ significantly between treated and untreated plots nor between the two populations of bobwhites. A significantly greater proportion of AR and LA nests were attacked by RIFA on untreated plots. Three nests hatched successfully on treated
plots versus one on untreated. RIFA appear to breach intact bobwhite eggshells. In areas of sympatry, RIFA may exacerbate bobwhite decline by attacking eggs prior to hatch. In a another project, we looked at the diversity of bacteria in the guts of fourth-instar larvae. Fourth-instar larvae are used by the colony to digest solid food and then regurgitate it for consumption by workers and queens. Larvae are an ideal source of investigations of obligate endosymbiotic bacteria possibly involved in nutrient distributions. We attempted to first identify what bacteria species are in the guts of larvae followed by antibiotic and microscopy work to further study their roles in the ants. The composition of the bacterial community in fire ant larvae was described with culture-independent methods utilizing 16S rDNA sequencing. Bacterial communities from three geographically separated RIFA colonies were examined. Sequenced bacterial clones from guts were determined to be predominantly from the
phylum Proteobacteria and the family Enterobacteriaceae. The colony from Baton Rouge had 34 identified species, 25 identified species from the Rosepine colony, and nine from the Bogalusa colony. None of the identified bacteria were closely related to known coadapted endosymbionts from other insect species. Bacterial inventories from each location provided little evidence of common bacteria among them. Antibiotic treatments indicated that ants were not affected by clearing the guts of microorganisms. Clearing of obligate symbiotic bacteria should have detrimental effects on ant mortality. Since no significant change was found, obligate symbiosis is not likely to be present between fire ants and their gut bacteria. We were unable to detect bacteriocytes in the guts of larvae using light and electron microscopy, providing further data against an obligate symbiotic relationship.
Publications
- Phenology, distribution, and host specificity of Solenopsis invicta virus-1. Author: Valles, Steven M.; Strong, Charles A.; Oi, David H.; Porter, Sanford D.; Pereira, Roberto M.; Vander Meer, Robert K.; Hashimoto, Yoshifumi; Hooper-Bui, Linda M.; Sanchez-Arroyo, Hussein; Davis, Tim; Karpakakunjaram, Vedham; Vail, Karen M.; Fudd Graham, L.C.; Briano, Juan A.; Calcaterra, Luis A.; Gilbert, Lawrence E.; Ward, Rufina; Ward, Kenneth; Oliver, Jason B.; Taniguchi, Glenn. 2007. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 96:18-27.
|
Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Impacts of red imported fire ants on native faunal communities were monitored in two Louisiana, pine-dominated ecosystems. Efficacy of hydramethylnon bait was tested in the two ecosystems and found effective in both with 42 to 99% suppression of fire ants for three to seven months. Evening treatments worked best as hydramethlynon photodegraded quickly. After suppression, fire ants were shown to minimally impact cotton mice, ground-dwelling invertebrates, and Lycosidae species; fire ants are not the regulating factor in these communities. Habitat conditions that favor cotton mice may also favor fire ants. Skink populations may be adversely impacted by fire ants. Two ant species showed signs of competitive release from fire ants; two others were negatively affected by hydramethylnon. Effects of red imported fire ants on populations of declining Northern Bobwhite Quail have been a topic of heated debate recently leading to the formation of two highly polarized camps. To
elucidate this effect, six plots were paired by habitat features, and each contained four aviaries that housed one male and two female bobwhites. Two aviaries per plot contained bobwhites from Arkansas captive stock whereas the others contained bobwhites from Louisiana captive stock. One plot of each pair was broadcast-treated with hydramethylnon fire ant bait. Quail nest loss caused by fire ants ranged from 40 to over 60%. Quail nests were buried by fire ants; eggshells were also breached by fire ants. Fire ants may exacerbate quail decline. Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, we sampled New Orleans City Park and other parts of South Louisiana to determine post-hurricane ant distribution and patterns of re-invasion. We repeatedly sampled 30 locations in City Park and 115 in other parts of Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Cameron, and Vermillion Parishes. In areas that flooded, ants were greatly suppressed or extirpated. Red imported fire ants were collected in moderately
flooded areas (City Park) within 2 months of Katrina and in heavily flooded areas (Gentilly, New Orleans East) by March 2006. Fire ants were present but suppressed in most areas by September 2006, and species richness remained low. Time until re-establishment of fire ants was influenced by distance to un-flooded areas and human activity. Fire ants became established more quickly in populated areas of St. Bernard than in less populated but similarly flooded areas of New Orleans East. Ant species richness in City Park approached pre-hurricane levels one year after the storms, but some species had either not been collected or their distribution within the park had changed. Bacterial fauna from larvae of three geographically-separate red imported fire ant colonies were studied. The 16S rRNA gene was directly amplified from mixed-population DNA of fire ant larval guts cloned into E. coli. Bacteria from guts were predominantly from phylum Proteobacteria and family Enterobacteriacae. We did
not detect presence of symbionts in guts of fire ant larvae. Bacterial communities appear unique to geographical locale and are determined by foods consumed by the ants.
Impacts
Two large-scale studies indicate effects of red imported fire ants on native faunae, but the effect may be related to fire ant population densities. Understanding the effects of fire ants on native faunae is critical to maintain viable numbers of game animals and food for those animals. Bobwhites have declined 3% per year since 1966, and harvests of bobwhites have decreased more than 90% since 1980 in Louisiana and other southern states. Fire ants appear to be contributing to the decline of bobwhites, especially in areas with high population densities of fire ants. Such studies are extremely important to land managers and foresters wishing to increase suitability of lands for wildlife while lessening the threat of invasive, pest species. Post-Katrina New Orleans provided an unprecedented occasion to suppress fire ants in large portions of an urban area that had already seen dramatic losses of ants due to flooding. Working with community leaders, private homeowners,
business leaders, and the media, we greatly reduced fire ant populations and prevented their rapid return to the city. Over 2500 acres of public green space were treated with Esteem, a fire ant control product donated by Valent USA. Over $500,000 worth of Amdro was donated by BASF for treating neighborhoods. Based on distribution of Amdro to homeowners, an additional 8000 or more properties were potentially treated. Both the treatments and the public outreach campaigns were extremely effective in terms of stopping the pest and raising awareness of the ant and the value of our program to the public.
Publications
- Ballif, R. L., L. M. Hooper- Bui, and B. A. Wiltz. Soybean Oil Consumption in Red Imported Fire Ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). In Proceedings of the National Conference on Urban Entomology, Cary, NC, May 21-24, 2006.
- O'Brien, K.S. 2005. Liquid Feeding in the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). M.S. Thesis. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Pp. 50.
- Wiltz, B. A. and L. M. Hooper-Bui. The effect of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on South Louisiana Ant Populations. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting Abstracts. Memphis, TN, August 6-11, 2006.
- Wiltz, B. A. and L. M. Hooper-Bui. Effect of Hurricane Katrina Flooding on Ants of Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes, Louisiana. In Proceedings of the 2006 Annual Red Imported Fire Ant Conference, Mobile, AL, March 28-30, 2006.
- Wiltz, B. A., L. M. Hooper-Bui, and L. A. Womack. The Effect of Flooding from Hurricane Katrina on Ant Populations. International Union for the Study of Social Insects 2006 Congress Abstracts, Washington, D.C. July 30 - August 4, 2006.
- Womack L.A. 2006. Impacts of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren) on native faunal communities in two pine-dominated forests. M.S. Thesis. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Pp. 119.
|
|