Progress 06/15/06 to 06/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our project consisted of 3 research and 3 extension objectives. The research objectives (R1a-c) were aimed at developing and evaluating a least toxic strategy for homeowners and businesses for management of European fire ant, Myrmica rubra, using bait stations. Activities included: a) determining the effective land area serviced by individual bait stations; b) determining the time required for successful transfer of bait from foragers to the rest of the colony and seasonal variation in nutrients exploited in the field by foraging ants; and c) field testing the bait strategies for management of M. rubra. Field/laboratory samples were collected and processed and data was analyzed. The extension objectives were aimed at determining what species of ants are most commonly reported has pests in suburban/urban landscapes in the NE, and developing and disseminating information on the biology and management of these species. Activities included: E1) surveying pest control operators (PCOs) in participating states and extension workers throughout the NE region to determine the most common reported species of ant causing problems for home owners, businesses and schools; E2) developing a web-based key to the common ant pests in the Urban/ Suburban landscape in the NE region; and E3) developing and distributing web-based and printed materials for home owners and businesses (Including PCOs) on common pestiferous ants in the Urban and Suburban landscape and their management. Each state received 500 ant sampling-kits before seasonal ant activity began, in order to distribute between PCOs, homeowners, master gardeners etc. Returned ant samples were identified and the sender contacted with the result. We also tracked the nature of the complaints/concerns, frequency of receiving certain species and origin of samples. We determined which ant species are causing the most concern for landowners in Maine and New York. We are currently working with the University of Maine to completely redesign our current M. rubra website (http://biology.umaine.edu/fireant/index.html). We have developed and updated invasive red ant management information sheet and distributed through cooperative extension and other outlets. We established and continued to monitor our extension e-mail account Ants.IPM@Maine.edu to channel the information on ants and ant control. Other extension activities included talks and presentations at PCO training sessions, field days with master gardeners, tradeshows for lawn professionals, presentations to School IPM groups, and six presentations at scientific meetings. Finally, we have updated our fact sheet about M. rubra history, behavior, identification and management with the most current management information. Specific Events included: Co-PI, Dr. Susan Whitney-King, organized and sponsored a two day work-shop on the identification of ants in the landscape at the University of Delaware in Spring 2007. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: PD: Dr. Groden, Professor of Entomology, UMaine, coordinated the project, directed research on M. rubra management, worked with co-PDs and collaborators to plan and execute the PCO workshop, directed ant survey, and development of subsequent extension materials on pestiferous ants. Was responsible for coordinating input and writing and submit reports, supervised post-docs, grad students and technicians. Co-PD: Dr. Drummond, Professor of Entomology/Extension Specialist, UMaine, assisted with planning of field and laboratory research and advising graduate student and post doctoral research associate. Co-PD: Ms. Carolyn Kass, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University, was responsible for subcontractual commitments with Cornell Univ. Included: distribution, collecting, and processing of survey materials (including overseeing student workers); consulting with co-PD's on development of extension products; and distribution of extension products in NY. Co-PD: Dr. Susan Whitney King, Extension Specialist IV, University of Delaware, was responsible for subcontractual commitments with Univ. of Delaware Included: organizing and hosting workshop on identification of ants, and collecting, and processing of survey materials (including overseeing student workers) in DE. Nicola Gammans, Post Doctoral Research Associate, UMaine, initiated experiments on M. rubra management, supervised undergrad students. H. Alejandro Arevalo, Post Doctoral Research Associate, UMaine, executed survey of PCOs and conducted experiments on M. rubra feeding, supervised undergrad students. Tamara Levitsky, Maine Experiment Station Technician, UMaine, compiled and distributed survey materials, supervised undergrads processing samples. Jennifer Lund, School of Biology and Ecology Technician, UMaine, conducted experiments on transfer of nutrients throughout M. rubra colony, conducted field trials assessing management strategies for M. rubra, and Compiled survey results and presented results at regional and national meetings. Carrie Graham, Graduate Research Assistant, School of Biology and Ecology, UMaine, assisted with field trials assessing management strategies for M. rubra. Kerry Bernard, Graduate Research Assistant, School of Biology and Ecology, UMaine, conducted research on repellents for M. rubra and assisted with field trials assessing management strategies for M. rubra. Partner Organizations: Cornell University, University of Delaware, National Park Service at Acadia National Park Collaborators and contacts: Dr. James Dill, Extension Specialist Pest Management, UMaine, assisted with planning and conducting PCO workshops. Dr. Kathy Murray, IPM Entomologist, ME Dept. of Agric, Food and Rural Resources, assisted with the planning and conducting PCO workshop and survey of PCO and school IPM participants. Training or professional development: Post-doctoral fellows (2): Nicola Gammans, H. Alejandro Arevalo Graduate Students (2): Carrie Graham (MS Entomology), Kerry Bernard (PhD Biological Science) Undergraduate Students (9): Mary Banker, Stephanie Allard, Ben Burpee, Jillian Ouellette, Katie Nadeau, Trevor Taylor, Gordon Provost, Jeremiah Antosch, Sean Fitzgerald TARGET AUDIENCES: Extension specialists and agents, land managers, pesticide control operators, business and homeowners PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The outcomes/impacts of this project include significant changes in knowledge related to the potential to manage Myrmica rubra utilizing a bait station strategy, and ant species considered pests in surburban/urban landscapes in the NE Study results showed that bait deployed in the field was detected in ants up to 32 m from the delivery station, but delivery decreased exponentially with distance from the station with consistent bait transfer to 40% or more ants within 4 m. All nutrient diets were detected in all lifestages within the first 2 hrs of exposure. Consumption did change for all stages with the date and diet, but changes in preference were only detected in workers (greater sucrose in early and late season relative to protein and oils). This same preference shift was detected in the field recruitment study (cafeteria study). In the 2007 field trial, broadcast of Advion fire ant bait and Pre-Empt liquid in AntPro bait stations both resulted in the lowest number of foragers, demonstating that either a bait station strategy or a broadcast bait strategy can work to significantly reduce activity of M. rubra on infested properties if the right active ingredient and product are used. In surveys of pestiferous ants, four genera were reported in Maine (17% return from 15 or 16 counties) with M. rubra and Formica exectoides making up the majority of complaints (41/50). M. rubra complaints include stinging, swarming and damaging plants, while the F. exsectoides complaints include biting, swarming / worried about invading house, and damaging plants. In New York, with 98 samples from 20 of 62 NY counties, 14 genera were reported, with the most common pests being Tetramorium caespitum (21 records), Camponotus pennsylvanicus (7 records), Lasius neoniger and Tapinoma sessile (6 records each). In both Maine and NY, complaints were sometimes not reflective of the potential threat of the species collected. For example, T. caespitum, M. rubra, and F. exsectoides are all unlikely to damage plants, which was a common complaint accompanying samples of these species. L. neoniger and F. exsectoides are both unlikely home invaders and many people were concerned that these species might become invaders. We have been very successful raising awareness of the differences between beneficial and pestiferous ants in the landscape. Since the term "pest" is very subjective for most of the ant species, we are providing our stakeholders information about ant behavior, benefits that ants provide in managed ecosystems and consequences of control actions necessary for clients to make informed decisions about controlling ants in the landscape. In the case of M. rubra, since it is an aggressive invasive pest, we are educating the public on specific-ant behavior, ecological effects of invasion, and control tactics. Among the management techniques recommended we make sure to include both cultural methods, and chemical methods. However, much of our emphasis is focused on prevention.
Publications
- Arevalo, H.A., and E. Groden. 2007. European fire ant, Myrmica rubra Linnaeus. Featured Creatures, University of Florida. creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/urban/ants/Myrmica_ruba.htm.
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Progress 06/15/07 to 06/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Objectives: Research - R1) Develop and evaluate "least toxic" strategies for homeowners and businesses for management of European fire ant, Myrmica rubra, using bait station strategies. a) Determine the effective land area serviced by individual bait stations. b) Determine the time required for successful transfer of bait from foragers to the rest of the colony. c) Field test the optimal bait strategy for management of M. rubra. Extension - E1) Survey pest control operators in participating states and extension workers throughout the NE region to determine the most common reported species of ant causing problems for home owners, businesses and schools E2) Develop a web-based key to the common ant pests in the Urban/ Suburban landscape in the NE region E3) Develop and distribute web-based and printed materials for home owners and businesses (Including control Operators) on common pestiferous ants in the Urban and Suburban landscape and its management Approach: Research - R1 b) Colony Feeding Study: We used marked diets to compare the rate at which different nutrients are transferred from foragers to queens, brood and other workers. R1 c) Cafeteria Study: We conducted research to examine seasonal variation in nutrients exploited in the field by comparing forager collection of different nutrients (Lipid, Sugar, Protein, and Carbohydrate) embedded in a standard diet matrix in field based choice test. Extension - E1) For the survey, each state received 500 ant sampling-kits before seasonal ant activity began to distribute between PCOs, homeowners, master gardeners etc. Progress: Research - R1 b) Colony Feeding Study: Samples have been collected and are currently being processed and analyzed. May and June data is presented below. R1 c) Cafeteria Study: Field samples have been collected and analyzed. Results are presented below. Extension - E1) In Maine, kits were distributed among pesticide operators (20%), Master Gardeners (10%), Extension Offices (65%), and directly to public (5%). In NY, kits were distributed among pesticide operators (5%), Master Gardeners (20%), Extension offices (65%), and IPM coordinators (10%). The returned ant samples were identified and the sender contacted with the result. We also tracked the nature of the complaints/concerns, frequency of receiving certain species and origin of samples. We have determined which ant species are causing the most concern for landowners in Maine and New York (presented below). We continued to monitor our extension e-mail account Ants.IPM@Maine.edu to channel the information on ants and ant control. We answer ant related concerns; give information about the ant biology and management options by phone, e-mail, or standard mail. Other extension activities include talks and presentations at PCO meeting, field days with master gardeners, tradeshows for lawn professionals, presentations to School IPM groups, and scientific meetings. Finally, we have updated our fact sheet about M. rubra history, behavior, identification and management with the most current management information. PARTICIPANTS: Eleanor Groden, PI, Coordinated and supervised post doc, technician and grad student Frank Drummond, co-PI, Assisted with analyses and experimental designs Susan Whitney King, co-PI, Conducted ant survey in Delaware Carolyn Klass, co-PI, Conducted ant survey in NY Alejandro Arevalo, Post doc, conducted initial field studies with M. rubra Jennifer Lund, Research Assistant, conducted second field study with M. rubra, compiled survey results Tamara Levitsky, Research Technician, assisted with maintance of laboratory and processing field samples and conducting survey in Maine. Kerry Blenk, Graduate student, conducted research with M. rubra management. TARGET AUDIENCES: Home and business owners, park and land managers, nursery and potted plant industries, and pest control industries. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Findings: Research - R1 b) Colony Feeding Study: Transfer of nutrients throughout all life stages was immediate, by 2 hrs after diet introduction. Sugar was an important nutrient in May and June that helps fuel foraging after diapause. We observed a general trend of preference for sugars, over lipids and proteins in May, in all life stages. As the season progresses, sugar becomes less important relative to protein. In June, preferences for sugar were no longer reflected as other nutrient needs have increased. We are currently processing samples for July - October. R1 c) Cafeteria Study: At the start of postdiapause (early May) all diets were consumed in equal volumes. By late May, sugar and carbohydrate diets were consumed more than protein diet. During the reproductive period (June, July and August) we observed a decline in preference for sugars to a stronger preference for protein. During prediapause we initially observed a strong preference for protein, but by early October, there was no detectable preference between the protein, sugar and carbohydrate diets. Extension: In Maine 17% of mailers were returned, representing 15 of 16 counties. Fourteen of the samples received were from indoor ant complaints leaving 69 samples for analysis. Most (91%) of the samples originated from privately owned properties and the majority (50) of the samples originated from coastal counties of Maine. Four genera were represented in the samples and the two most common species found in complaint samples were Formica exsectoides, the Allegheny mound ant (25 samples) and Myrmica rubra, the European fire ant (16 samples). M. rubra complaints include stinging, swarming and damaging plants, while the F. exectoides complaints include biting, swarming / worried about invading house, and damaging plants. In New York, we received 98 outdoor pestiferous ant samples representing 20 of 62 NY counties. These samples included returned mailers and those collected from properties after receiving phone complaints. Most (88%) of the samples originated from privately owned properties and the majority (49) of the samples originated from central NY. Fourteen genera represented in the samples, with the most common pestiferous ant species found in New York were Tetramorium caespitum (21 records), Camponotus pennsylvanicus (7 records), Lasius neoniger and Tapinoma sessile (6 records each). In both ME and NY, complaints were sometimes not reflective of the potential threat of the species collected. For example, T. caespitum, M. rubra, and F. exsectoides are all unlikely to damage plants, which was a common complaint accompanying samples of these species. L. neoniger and F. exectoides are both unlikely home invaders and many people were concerned that these species might become invaders .The need for educational materials on species specific ant biology and their true damage potential is evident in the disconnect between sample species and nature of the complaint. Our next step is to develop such materials for the northeast region.
Publications
- AREVALO,H.A., J. COLLINS, E. GRODEN, F. DRUMMOND, K. SIMON. 2009. MARKING BLUEBERRY MAGGOT FLIES (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) USING FLUORESCENT DIET FOR RECAPTURE STUDIES. Florida Entomologist 92(2): 379-381.
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Progress 06/15/06 to 06/14/07
Outputs
Research Objective: R1)Develop and evaluate least toxic strategies for homeowners and businesses for management of the European fire ant, M. rubra, using bait station strategies. a) Determine the effective land area serviced by an individual bait station set up for control of the invasive European fire ant, Myrmica rubra. Preliminary laboratory assays were first conducted to determine i.) if Fluorescent Brightener 28 (FB28) in a sucrose bait (0.001% or 0.01% Fluorescent Brightener 28 (FB28) + 3% NaOH in 50% sucrose solution) fed to M. rubra workers could be detected on thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates as described in Vega and Rust (2003); ii.) if detectable amounts of the FB28 marker in baits could be transferred between workers via feeding (trophyllaxis); and iii.) the persistence of bait in workers over time. The FB28 was detectable in the ants that had consumed the 0.01% bait but not the 0.001% bait, thus 0.01% solution was used in all subsequent assays. The
marker was successfully detected in 45% of the starved ants that had been paired with ants previously fed the marker, indicating that it can be transferred via trophyllaxis. Ants from the persistence assay are currently being processed on TLC plates. Lab studies were followed by field experiments to assess the transfer of bait from individual bait stations throughout the M. rubra population spatially over time. Baits stations consisted of commercial KM AntPro liquid bait dispensers with a liquid sucrose bait containing the FB28 in sucrose bait. Individual bait stations were established at multiple sites and ants were allowed to feed for 1 week, during and after which the spread of the solution was monitored by collecting foraging ants at set distances from the bait station over time. Collected ants were tested individually for the marker using TCL plates at our laboratory. Results from one site collected at 24 hrs, 3 dys and 1wk revealed detection of the marked out to 32 m after just
24 hrs, though even after 1 wk, the majority of the positive ants were found within 4 m of the bait station. The remainder of the samples are currently being processed. Extension objective: E1)Survey pest control operators in participating states and extension workers throughout the NE region to determine the most commonly reported species of ants causing problems for homeowners, businesses and schools in the NE. Sample mailers have been designed and are currently being put together for distribution at winter workshops.
Impacts
The bait station strategy for managing M. rubra would greatly reduce the human health and non-target environmental risks associated with broadcasting insecticide for control of this pest. This would be particularly significant in homes, schools and public parks where this pest, if left unmanaged, is severely impacting use. Use of boric acid bait stations would represent a switch to a lower risk pesticide. The survey, key, and information on the biology and management of other pestiferous ants in the urban/suburban landscape also will lead to reduction in pesticide use and risk. As not all ants are pestiferous, and even with those that are, insecticides may not be the most effective way to manage the problem. With information available to homeowners, PCO's and extension personnel, more appropriate choices can be made. Bait station strategies will likely result in reduced cost for management, as insecticides will be concentrated in locations frequented by ants rather
than broadcast in areas where it may not be picked up by foragers. There are costs associated with purchase of bait stations, but these are one time costs, as these stations are reusable. By providing region specific information to extension personnel on identification and management of pestiferous ants, they save time that otherwise would be spent sifting through materials developed in other regions that is not relevant to the NE. Schools, park managers and PCO's are also likely to save time and money when the information is readily at hand, and they do not treat ants that are not going to cause problems.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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