Progress 10/01/00 to 01/10/05
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Imported fire ants inhabit over 321 million acres in twelve southern states from Texas to Virginia in addition to Puerto Rico. Fire ants have recently become established in limited areas in California, New Mexico, and Maryland. Because of their tremendous populations and painful stings, fire ants are an agricultural pest, an urban pest, and a threat to biodiversity. Costs for damage, control measures, and medical treatments are reported to exceed $5 billion dollars annually. Fire ants reduce crop yields, damage electrical equipment, and are a problem for young animals in a variety of livestock operations and are a major concern to farmers, ranchers, and nurserymen. Fire ants are a concern for human health because about 40% of the people in the infested area are stung each year and about 1% of the
population is allergic to their stings which can lead to serious medical complications including death. This means that hundreds of thousands of people in the South live in fear of getting stung. Additionally, fire ants are a serious environmental concern because they reduce the abundance and biodiversity of many native arthropods and ground nesting reptiles, birds, and mammals including some that are rare and endangered. Chemical treatments can provide fast control in limited areas, but are costly and provide only temporary fire ant suppression. Fire ant populations in the U.S. are 5 times higher than in their native range of Brazil and Argentina, and the large populations are likely the result of their escape from natural enemies in South America. Therefore, natural enemies of fire ants, which include parasitic phorid flies and microsporidian pathogens are being evaluated as possible self-sustaining biocontrol agents. Semiochemicals produced by fire ants and their parasites and
gene expression among different social forms are also being evaluated to develop biologically-based integrated pest management strategies for control of fire ants in the U.S. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. FY 2001 1. Complete releases of P. tricuspis and P. curvatus in the Gainesville area. 2. Select and set up treatment and control monitoring sites. 3. Determine efficacy of the energized grid system in capturing phorid flies in the field. 4. Collect additional Phorid fly species from South America for quarantine rearing. 5. Evaluate impact of the pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae, on populations of monogyne fire ants. FY 2002 1. Monitor rates of expansion for field populations of two phorid fly species. 2. Commence estimates of fly impacts on fire ant populations. 3. Determine if energized grid system can be used to increase parasite rearing efficiency in the laboratory. 4. Establish field sites for inoculation of the Thelohania pathogen. 5.
Commence isolation of the alarm pheromone releaser pheromone. FY 2003 1. Continue to monitor rates of expansion for field populations of two phorid fly species. 2. Continue with estimates of phorid fly impact on fire ant populations. 3. Establish field sites for parasitic phorid fly release. 4. Establish field sites for treatments of chemicals, release of and. 5. Commence bimonthly monitoring of field sites. 6. Inoculate Thelohania into study sites in 10 states. 7. Isolate the fire ant alarm pheromone. Fy 2004 1. Determine preliminary structure identification of active compounds. 2. Commence to determine the biochemical effects of the queen produced conspecific recognition primer pheromone. 3. Determine Thelohania infection rates and impact on imported fire ant populations. 4. Evaluate host specificity of additional phorid fly spp 5. Evaluate impact of the pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae, on populations of monogyne and polygyne fire ants. 6. Determine Thelohania infection rates 1 year
after inoculation and reinoculate plots if necessary. 7. Develop and demonstrate biologically-based integrated management program utilizing chemical, biological, and other methods for control of IFA. 8. Identify the fire ant alarm pheromone. FY 2005 1. Early estimates of fly impacts on fire ant populations. 2. Determine preliminary structure identification of alarm pheromone. 3. Determine infection rates and impact on imported fire ant populations. 4. Determine impact of V. invictae infections on laboratory fire ant colonies. 5. Evaluate host specificity for additional fly spp. 6. Determine the biochemical effects of the queen produced conspecific recognition primer pheromone. 7. Determine the effect of alkaloid bait treatment on bait phagostimulant uptake and distribution. 8. If necessary, release additional flies and pathogens. If results are successful expand IPM area to other states. This research is entirely within the scope of the imported fire ant component of National Program
104, Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology (100%). Research represents efforts to provide self- sustaining, non-pesticidal, biologically-based control methods that would be safe and effective in urban, agricultural and natural ecosystems for a serious medical, veterinary, and agricultural pest. Thus, the research problems addressed by this CRIS support the Pesticide Reduction Act through the development of integrated pest management technologies, as well as the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 through the development of reduced-risk control strategies. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Early estimates of fly impacts on fire ant populations. Milestone Fully Met 2. Determine preliminary structure identification of alarm pheromone. Milestone Fully Met 3. Determine infection rates and impact on imported fire ant populations. Milestone Fully
Met 4. Determine impact of V. invictae infections on laboratory fire ant colonies. Milestone Substantially Met 5. Evaluate host specificity for additional fly spp. Milestone Fully Met 6. Determine the biochemical effects of the queen produced conspecific recognition primer pheromone. Milestone Fully Met 7. Determine the effect of alkaloid bait treatment on bait phagostimulant uptake and distribution. Milestone Substantially Met 8. If necessary, release additional flies and pathogens. If results are successful expand IPM area to other states. Milestone Substantially Met 3b List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2006, 2007, and 2008). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? This Project Plan terminated in January, 2005. Future work will be covered by the new Project Plan that is currently in place. 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Scientists at the USDA-ARS Center
for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, in Gainesville, Florida, identified the transferrin gene cDNA, gene architecture, and response to fungal infection from the red imported fire ant. They determined that the gene was induced up to 7-fold upon infection with the fungus, Beauveria bassiana. Genes, like Solenopsis invicta transferrin (SiTf), responding to microbe attack or infection may provide a unique approach to assist in the discovery of microbial control organisms for the target insect pest. This aspect of the research is currently being evaluated. 4b List other significant accomplishments, if any. Scientists from the USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), in Gainesville, Florida have succeeded in establishing a new biotype of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus from northern Argentina at release sites in Florida (3), Texas (2), South Carolina (1), and probably Oklahoma (2). Flies have been confirmed to over winter at
all sites except those in Oklahoma. Flies at the original site in Florida have expanded out several miles and fly densities are generally much higher than those for P. tricuspis, the first species of decapitating fly released several years before. These results are encouraging because the new biotype is clearly establishing on red imported fire ants and is likely to be a more effective biocontrol agent than the first species released. Fire ant pathogen suppresses colony growth: Scientists at the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, in Gainesville, FL (CMAVE) and a collaborating scientist from the ARS South American Biological Control Laboratory in Hurlingham, Argentina demonstrated that the fire ant pathogen, Vairimorpha invictae suppresses colony growth in inoculated fire ant colonies. Due to a lack of natural enemies of the imported fire ants in the U.S., this ant has become one of the most dominant pest arthropods in the southern U.S. Ability to
infect healthy fire ant colonies and cause their decline justifies further research on this pathogen as a biological control agent for release in the U.S. Establishment of this pathogen in the U.S. could result in a self-sustaining, long term, reduction in fire ants. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Fire ant detox mechanism: Scientists at the USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, in Gainesville, Florida, continued the characterization of an important insecticide detoxification system in the red imported fire ant. The gene architecture and developmental expression and activity of SiGSTS1, a glutathione S- transferase, were elucidated. Understanding insecticide disposition in fire ants is crucial to the development of insect-specific insecticides and possibly novel methods of ant control. First Fire Ant Virus Discovered: The search for fire ant pathogens that are more
devastating to fire ant colonies and offer greater suppression of their populations is important for use in integrated control of this pest. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, in cooperation with ARS scientists at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL, identified, for the first time, a virus infecting the red imported fire ant. Preliminary data supported the existence of a picorna virus in some fire ant colonies. Now, we have successfully been able to transmit this pathogen to other fire ant colonies. In addition, a new RNA virus was discovered in the fire ant. The new virus may be a distinct species or a variant of the recently discovered fire ant virus, Solenopsis invicta virus-1 (SINV-1). Part of the genome of the virus was sequenced and studies suggest that the virus may serve as an additional biological control agent for fire ants. This breakthrough could have major impact on the future
discovery and development of biological control agents for fire ants. Fire Ant Microsporidian Pathogens: ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, focused on two pathogens, Thelohania solenopsae and Vairimorpha invictae. Major accomplishments with T. solenopsae, include: 1) discovery of the pathogen in the U.S.; 2) determining how to artificially infect fire ant colonies with the pathogen; 3) documentation of the detrimental impact of this pathogen on fire ant queen fecundity and longevity; 4) documented the natural spread of the pathogen for the first time under field conditions in multiple-queen colonies of red imported fire ants in the U. S.; 4) infected fire ants were recovered at inoculation sites in 7 of the 10 states, which included for the first time infections in single-queen colonies; 5) discovery of an additional spore type within life cycle of the fire ant pathogen; 6) documented mortality of infected
multiple-queen colonies. Major accomplishments with the Vairimorpha invictae include 1) transmitting infection to uninfected fire ant colonies, and 2) demonstrating suppression of growth in fire ant colonies that were infected with pathogen. These accomplishments demonstrate that pathogens can be used as biological control agents to reduce fire ant populations. PCR Detection Methods: The pursuit of detection methods for Thelohania solenopsae was conducted because the current method (microscopy) is extremely time consuming, labor intensive, and incapable of detecting vegetative stages of this organism. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL developed a PCR-based method capable of identification of the pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae, in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. This method provides a means to sample numerous fire ant colonies for the presence of the pathogen. In addition, the detection of T.
solenopsae in intermediate hosts has assisted in the development of methods to spread the disease to uninfected ants. Scientists developed a similar PCR technique to detect Vairimorpha invictae in fire ants. This microsporidian species is a very promising biocontrol agent for the fire ant in the U.S. Primers were designed to determine the differences between single-queen and multiple-queen colonies of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. This method was 100% accurate in discriminating the two forms. The scientists also purified, characterized, cloned, and sequenced the first detoxification enzyme (Glutathione transferase) from the fire ant, and cloned and sequenced the 18S rRNA gene from a new pathogen (Mattesia YHD) of the fire ant. This information led to a study that showed that disease-stressed ants are more susceptible to certain kinds of pesticides. Overall, the impact of these discoveries will advance our knowledge of fire ants biology which we can exploit for the purpose of
controlling of this pest. New Fire Ant Pathogens Discovered: Scientists from the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), in Gainesville discovered a new fungal pathogen attacking fire ants, Myrmicinosporidium durum. They also discovered a new fire ant protozoan pathogen (Mattesia sp.) that causes yellow head disease. These pathogens may have use as bioinsecticides or may help in the discovery of similar pathogens in South America that may serve as classical or self sustaining biocontrol agents. Phorid Decapitating Flies: ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL have been working with phorid decapitating flies for almost ten years. Previously, they discovered that these flies grow and develop inside the heads of fire ant workers, demonstrated that these flies are important natural enemies of fire ants, and obtained permission to export one species (Pseudacteon tricuspis) from Brazil. During
this Project Plan they: 1) learned to mass rear three additional species of Pseudacteon flies in laboratory conditions (P. curvatus, P. litoralis, and P. obtusus); 2) ran host specificity tests to show that these three new flies would be safe to release; 3) obtained permission to release two additional species in the field (P. curvatus, P. litoralis); 4) reared and provided the decapitating fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis, for release by cooperators in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi. 5) reared and provided a second decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus for release by cooperators in Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina; 6) discovered that decapitating flies are attracted to fire ant alarm pheromones; 7) collected, reared, and established a second biotype of P. tricuspis flies that does well in dry regions at a site in central Texas; 8) Reared, tested, and established a second biotype of P. curvatus that
does well on red fire ants; 9) applied for field release permits for a fourth species of decapitating fly (P. obtusus); 10) conducted post-release host- specificity tests that demonstrated that these flies remained host specific after field release. The decapitating fly P. tricuspis is expanding rapidly (10-20 miles/year) out of more than a dozen release sites in the Southeast. This species currently occupies all of North Central Florida into Georgia and hundreds of square miles in South Florida and Central Alabama. The decapitating fly, P. curvatus has recently been found over hundreds of square miles in Alabama and also Tennessee. The releases of these flies in combination with the release of other natural enemies will hopefully reduce populations of fire ants in the United States down to levels normally found in South America. Parasitic Ant, Solenopsis daguerrei: Scientists at the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, in Gainesville, FL and
collaborating scientists from the USDA/ARS South American Biological Control Laboratory in Hurlingham, Argentina: 1) determined that the parasite is found only on red and black imported fire ants and not other kinds of ants in a field survey in Argentina; 2) maintained the parasite under laboratory conditions which will facilitate further studies on host range to ants native to N. America and fire ant control potential. These studies are needed to determine if the parasite should be released in the U.S.; 3) determined that queens that initiated a flight were mated prior to flying, thus mid-air mating is not required. If rearing problems could be resolved, this parasite could be another biological control agent for use against the imported fire ant in the U.S. Fire Ant Semiochemical Research: ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL have investigated fire ant pheromones for many years including pioneering work on recruitment
pheromones, nestmate recognition pheromones, and queen recognition pheromones. During this Project Plan the following were accomplished: A) the first fire ant alarm pheromone was isolated and identified. This pheromone system is involved in mating flights, attraction of phorid fly parasites to their fire ant hosts, and one associated behavior is worker attraction. It may be possible to manipulate the alarm pheromone to disrupt mating flights, increase the efficacy of phorid fly rearing, and enhance fire ant bait toxicants. B) Normally, fire ant workers from single and multiple queen colonies are highly aggressive toward newly mated fire ant queens. However, we discovered that newly mated fire ant queens (NMQs) are adopted by queenless monogyne and polygyne workers, this has tremendous impact on how we view control and polygyny in the United States. Adoption of NMQs can lead to more rapid reinfestation of treated land and may promote the spread of polygyne populations. C) We
elucidated, for the first time, the biochemical effects of an ant primer pheromone. We developed a new method for biogenic amine analysis that facilitated this work and will be beneficial to other scientists interested in biogenic amines. Workers out of the influence of queen primer pheromones are non-aggressive and have lower biogenic amine levels than workers in a colony with a queen. In contrast queenless workers fed biogenic amines had higher levels in their brains and maintained high levels of aggression, just as workers under the influence of the queen primer pheromones. This work may lead to novel control methods and aid in the elucidation of the chemical nature of the queen produced primer pheromones that control worker and sexual production in the colony. Fire Ant Exclusion with Repellents: A number of fire ant repellents were patented. They are generally volatile compounds that to be effective for commercial applications require special sustained release formulations. ARS
scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL and a company specializing in controlled release of bioactive compounds have partnered in a CRADA to develop formulations that will have a commercially suitable active lifetime. Repellents can be used to exclude fire ants from areas where they are not wanted. Potential applications include urban picnic areas, high human use places in parks and recreational areas, plant nurseries, hospitals, electrical equipment, interstate commerce, etc. We have significantly increased the active life of these repellents to provide relief from fire ants in the context of urban picnic areas, high human use places in parks. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products?
CRADA: Development of Commercial Products Using Sustain-Release Delivery Systems, with BioGuard Research & Development, Inc. This CRADA is aimed in part at developing controlled release formulations to enhance the utilization of patented fire ant repellents, attractants, and environmentally safe toxicants. This technology should be transferred to end-users in 3-5 years. Grants: A Phase II USDA-SBIR Grant was awarded to BioGuard R&D, Inc. to develop commercial fire ant repellent products. A United States Israel Binational Science Foundation grant for studying the social environment and biogenic amines effects on ant aggression concluded this fiscal year. Commenced a four year ($200,000) United States Israel Binational Science Foundation grant awarded to a Unit scientist entitled Signal Dynamics and Neuro-Regulation of Ant Nestmate Recognition Systems. Completed a Headquarters funded Research Associate grant to study fire ant attractant for phorid fly parasites. Other: None 7. List
your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). 2 December 2004. Virus stinging invasive fire ant. Gainesville Sun. Information for column was provided by an interview of Valles and an ARS press release (30 November 2004) by Jim Core. December 2004. The ARS press release and subsequent interviews given by Valles about the newly discovered fire ant virus (SINV-1) received significant attention by the popular press. Radio/TV: AM850 Gainesville, FL; WJXX, FL; WBOC TV 16, MD; WHO-TV, IA; WSTM-TV, NY, WAFF, AL; WHNT, AL; KTRK, TX; KLFY, LA; KVOA.com, AZ; WOOD-TV, MI; KPLC-TV, LA; Team 4 News, TX; KFVS, MO; WCAX, VT; Ohio News Network, OH; Lex 18, KY; KWQC-TV, IA; WHBF, IL; KASA, NM; KESQ, CA; KWWL, IA; WTVO, IL; WBNS, OH; WBNS, OH; WKYT, KY; KFOR-TV, OK; WLBT-TV, MS; WANE, IN; WALB-TV, GA; KPHO Phoenix, AZ; KCAU, IA; KTVO, MO; WAVY-TV, VA; WTVM, GA; KVIA,
TX; WLUC-TV, MI; Newspaper: Atlanta Journal and Constitution, GA; Rockdale Citizen, GA; Daytona Beach News, FL; St. Petersburg Times, FL; Bradenton Herald, FL; The State, SC; Pest Control Technology Online; The Desert Sun, CA; Orlando Sentinel, FL; Miami Herald, FL; The Ledger, FL; Online: Local6. com; SunSentinel.com; OrlandoSentinel.com; Tallahassee.com; WFTV.com; Click10.com. Oi, D.H. Fire ants and other invasive ants: Strategies for short and long term control National Pest Management Association Annual Convention in Honolulu, HI; Oct. 22, 2004. (attendees included pest management professionals, scientists, manufacturers, regulators) Vander Meer, R.K. and C.A. Preston, The Alarm Pheromone of Solenopsis invicta, National ESA meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. November 2004.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Valles, S.M. 2004. Insecticides. Encyclopedia of Entomology. 2004. v. 2. p. 1191-1197.
- Johnson, C.A., Topoff, H., Vander Meer, R.K., Lavine, B. 2004. Do these eggs smell funny to you?: an experimental studey of egg discrimination by hosts of the social parasite Polyergus breviceps (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 57: 245-255.
- Vander Meer, R.K., Preston, C.A. 2004. Social insect pheromones. Encyclopedia of Entomology. 2004. v. 3. p. 2040-2046.
- Morrison, L.W., Porter, S.D. 2005. Phenology and parasitism rates in introduced populations of Pseudacteon tricuspis, a parasitoid of Solenopsis invicta.. Biocontrol. 50: 127-141.
- Porter, S.D. 2005. A simple design for a rain resistant pitfall trap. Insectes Sociaux. 52: 201-203.
- Oi, D.H., Watson, C.A., Williams, D.F. 2004. Monitoring and Management of Red Imported Fire Ants in a Tropical Fish Farm. Florida Entomologist. 87(4) : 522-527.
- Morrison, L.W., Porter, S.D. 2005. Testing for population-level impacts of introduced Pseudacteon tricuspis flies, phorid parasitoids of Solenopsis invicta fire ants. Biological Control. 33: 9-19.
- Vazquez, R.J., Porter, S.D., Briano, J.A. 2004. Host Specificity of a Biotype of the Fire Ant Decapitating Fly Pseudacteon curvatus (Diptera: Phoridae) From Northern Argentina. Environmental Entomology. 33(5):1436- 1441.
- Valles, S.M., Briano, J.A. 2004. Presence of Thelohania solenopsae and Vairimorpha invictae in South American Populations of Solenopsis invicta. Florida Entomologist. 87(4): 625-627.
- Valles, S.M., Strong, C.A., Dang, P.M., Hunter, W.B., Pereira, R.M., Oi, D. H., Shapiro, A.M., Williams, D.F. A picorna-like virus from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta: initial discovery, genome sequence, and characterization. Virology. 328:151-157.
- Vazquez, R.J., Porter, S.D. 2005. Re-confirming Host Specificity of the Fire Ant Decapitating Fly Pseudacteon curvatus after Field Release in Florida. Florida Entomologist. 88(1): 107-110.
- Folgarait, P.J., Bruzzone, O., Porter, S.D., Pesquero, M.A., Gilbert, L. 2005. Biogeography and macroecology of phorid flies that attack fire ants in southeastern Brazil and Argentina. Journal of Biogeography. 32: 353-367.
- Porter, S.D., Gilbert, L.E. 2004. Assessing host specificity and field release potential of fire ant decapitating flies (Phoridae: Pseudacteon). Van Driesche, R.G., Reardon, R., editors. USDA Forest Service, Morganton, WV. Assessing host ranges for parasitoids and predators used for classical biological control: a guide to best practice. 152-176.
- Oi, D.H., Briano, J.A., Valles, S.M., Williams, D.F. 2005. Transmission of Vairimorpha invictae (Microsporidia: Burenellidae) infections between red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) colonies. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 88: 108-115.
- Calcaterra, L., Porter, S.D., Briano, J. 2005. Distribution and Abundance of Fire Ant Decapitating Flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Pseudacteon), in Three Regions of Southern South America. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 98(1): 85-95.
- Valles, S.M., Strong, C.A. 2005. Solenopsis invicta virus-1A (SINV-1A): Distinct species or genotype of SINV-1?. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 88: 232-237.
- Vander Meer, R.K. 2002. Semiochemicals and communication in social systems: future directions. XIV International Congress of IUSSI-The Golden Jubilee Proceedings. p. 17.
- Oi, D.H. 2004. Ants, an introduction to the formicidae. Encyclopedia of Entomology. v. 1. p. 120-126.
- Williams, D.F. 2003. An Integrated Pest Management Approach for the Imported Fire Ant. Annual Red Imported Fire Ant Conference. p. 56.
- Vander Meer, R.K., Preston, C.A. 2003. Claustral Founding by Multiple Newly Mated Queens of Mixed Social Form. Proceedings of Annual Red Imported Fire Ant Conference. p. 37.
- Morrison, L.W., Korzukhin, M.D., Porter, S.D. 2005. Predicted range expansion of the invasive fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, in the eastern United States based on the VEMAP global warming scenario. Diversity and Distributions. 11: 199-204.
- Oi, D.H., Valles, S.M., Pereira, R.M. 2003. Prevalence of the fire ant pathogen Thelohania solenopsae in monogyne and polygyne colonies. Annual Red Imported Fire Ant Conference. p. 42-43.
- Vander Meer, R.K., Preston, C.A. 2004. Multiple functions of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, Alarm Pheromone. Chemical Ecology and Phytochemistry in Forest Ecosystems. 2004. p. 38.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Imported fire ants inhabit over 321 million acres in twelve southern states from Texas to Virginia in addition to Puerto Rico. Fire ants have recently become established in limited areas in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Maryland. Because of their tremendous populations and painful stings, fire ants are an agricultural pest, an urban pest, and a threat to biodiversity. Costs for damage, control measures, and medical treatments are reported to exceed $5 billion dollars annually. Fire ants reduce crop yields, damage electrical equipment, and are a problem for young animals in a variety of livestock operations and are a major concern to farmers, ranchers, and nurserymen. Fire ants are primarily a concern for human health because about 40% of the people in the infested area are stung each year
and about 1% of the population is allergic to their stings which can lead to serious medical complications including death. This means that hundreds of thousands of people in the South live in fear of getting stung. Additionally, fire ants are a serious environmental concern because they reduce the abundance and biodiversity of many native arthropods and ground nesting reptiles, birds, and mammals including some that are rare and endangered. Chemical treatments can provide fast control in limited areas, but are costly and provide only temporary fire ant suppression. Fire ant populations in the U.S. are 5-7 times higher than in their native range of Brazil and Argentina, and the large populations are likely the result of their escape from natural enemies in South America. Therefore, natural enemies of fire ants, which include parasitic phorid flies and microsporidian pathogens are being evaluated as possible self-sustaining biocontrol agents. Semiochemicals produced by fire ants
and their parasites and gene expression among different social forms are also being evaluated to develop biologically- based integrated pest management strategies for control of fire ants in the U.S. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Objective 1 - Complete setup of field tests to monitor impacts of the two species of Pseudacteon decapitating flies (P. tricuspis and P. curvatus) on field populations of fire ants. Milestone 1-1. Complete releases of P. tricuspis and P. curvatus in the Gainesville area. By month 6. Milestone 1-2. Select and set up treatment and control monitoring sites. By month 6 Milestone 1-3. Determine rates of expansion for field populations of both species. Months 6-18. Milestone 1-3. Early estimates of fly impacts on fire ant populations. Month 18 Objective 2 - Identify, characterize, and evaluate fire ant kairomones that cause attack on populations of fire ants by phorid flies. Milestone 2-1. Determine efficacy of the
energized grid system in the field. By month 6. Milestone 2-2. Determine if energized grid system can be used to increase parasite rearing efficiency in the laboratory. By month 12. Milestone 2-3. Determine preliminary structure identification of active compounds. By month 18. Objective 3 - Complete field tests and evaluate impact of the pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae, on populations of monogyne and polygyne fire ants. Milestone 3-1. establish and inoculate study sites in 10 states; month 4 Milestone 3-2. commence bimonthly monitoring; Milestone 3-3. determine infection rates 1 year after inoculation and reinoculate plots if necessary; month 12 Milestone 3- 4. determine infection rates and impact on imported fire ant populations after 2 years. Milestones will be documented in annual CMAVE report and journal publication; month 24 Objective 4 - Explore and evaluate other potential fire ant biocontrol agents; develop and demonstrate release methods for biological control organisms
for use in an integrated management program. Milestone 4.1. determine method to infect fire ant colonies with Vairimorpha invictae; month 6 Milestone 4. 2. determine impact of V. invictae infections on laboratory fire ant colonies. Milestones will be documented in annual CMAVE report and journal publication(s); month 18 Milestone 4.3. collect additional fly species for rearing; month 6 Milestone 4.4. evaluate host specificity for additional fly spp; month 18 Objective 5: - Isolate, characterize, and evaluate the effectiveness of queen primer pheromone in suppressing population of workers and sexuals in monogyne and polygyne fire ant colonies; develop controlled-release pheromone formulations. Milestone 5-1. Streamline selected primer pheromone bioassay and perfect the osmotic pump delivery system. By month 12. Milestone 5-2. Determine the glandular source of the selected primer pheromone. documentable through publication. By month 18. Milestone 5-3. Determine the effect of
alkaloid bait treatment on bait phagostimulant uptake and distribution. Documentable through Invention Disclosure. By month 12. Milestone 5-4. Determine if increased efficacy is associated with alkaloid enhanced baits. Documentable through publication. By month 18+. Objective 6: - Develop and demonstrate biologically-based integrated management program utilizing chemical, biological, and other methods for control of IFA. Milestone 6.1 (12 months) - Establishment of field sites, treatments of chemicals, release of parasitic flies and inoculation of pathogens. Data analysis & annual report. Documentation - a peer reviewed publication Milestone 6. 2 (18 months) - If necessary, release additional flies and pathogens. If results are successful expand IPM area to other states. Data analysis & annual report. This research is entirely within the scope of the imported fire ant component of National Program 104, Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology (100%). Research represents efforts
to provide self- sustaining, non-pesticidal, biologically-based control methods that would be safe and effective in urban, agricultural and natural ecosystems for a serious medical, veterinary, and agricultural pest. Thus, the research problems addressed by this CRIS support the Pesticide Reduction Act through the development of integrated pest management technologies, as well as the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 through the development of reduced-risk control strategies. 3. Milestones: None of the milestones above were scheduled to be completed in FY 2004 because this project plan was originally written for 18 months. All of the objectives above were met except those in Objective 5 dealing with queen primer pheromones. This objective was not met because of the decision to behaviorally and biochemically characterize a newly discovered fire ant primer pheromone. This Project Plan will terminate at the end of 2004 so future work will be covered by the Project Plan that is
currently under review. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment during FY 2004: Laboratory Transmission of the Fire Ant Pathogen. The fire ant pathogen Vairimorpha invictae from Argentina was successfully transmitted for the first time to uninfected fire ant colonies in the United States. The ability to transmit this pathogen in quarantine facilities will allow host specificity testing to determine if it is safe for field release in the U.S. as a self-sustaining biological control of fire ants. Early tests conducted by USDA-ARS scientists in Gainesville, FL in cooperation with an ARS scientist from Argentina show substantial impacts on the survival of laboratory fire ant colonies. Field release of this pathogen along with other natural enemies will potentially result in the permanent reduction of fire ant populations across large areas of the southeastern United States. B. Other Significant Accomplishments:
Establishment of a New Decapitating Fly on Red Imported Fire Ants. USDA- ARS scientists have succeeded in establishing the decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus for the first time on red imported fire ants (3 sites in Florida and 1 site in South Carolina). Flies at the original site in Florida have expanded out more than a mile and fly densities are generally much higher than those for P. tricuspis, the first species of decapitating fly released several years before. These results are encouraging because the new biotype is establishing vigorous populations on red imported fire ants and is likely to be a more effective biocontrol agent than the first species released. Identification of Fire Ant Alarm Chemical. USDA-ARS scientists recently identified a tri-substituted pyrazine as an active component of the fire ant alarm pheromone. This is important because it is the first chemical identified that fire ants use to communicate alarm to fellow workers. This compound was isolated from
the mandibular glands of workers, as well as queens and males. Potential uses include the development of species- specific baits, premature initiation of fire ant mating flights, and enhanced phorid fly production. Four-Year Field Study of Decapitating Flies. USDA-ARS Scientists completed a 4-year study of the impacts of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon tricuspis on fire ant populations in north central Florida with funding from a USDA National Research Initiative grant. They found that the impacts of this fly did not rise above the 10-30% sensitivity of the experimental design. These results are important because they demonstrate that additional natural enemies are still needed to tilt the ecological balance in favor of our native ants and against the imported fire ants. New Decapitating Fly is Safe for Field Release. USDA-ARS scientists completed a series of tests that show that the large form of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon obtusus are completely host specific to fire ants.
These results are important because they will allow permits to be submitted for field release of these flies in the United States as prospective biocontrol agents of imported fire ants. These flies were tested in quarantine against a dozen native species of ants in both choice and no-choice tests. Field release of this fly will aid in efforts to permanently control fire ants over large regions using biological agents. Field Tests Show Laboratory Host Specificity Tests are Accurate. USDA scientists found that laboratory tests accurately predicted the host range of two phorid decapitating flies (P. tricuspis and P. curvatus) from South America after they had been released in the field in the United States. These results are important because they provide confidence that predictions of high host specificity from laboratory tests accurately reflect field results. These tests were conducted by exposing imported fire ants and native ants to decapitating flies in the field and observing
the resulting attraction and rates of parasitism. This study provides hard evidence that the release of exotic biocontrol agents can be done without unintended consequences. Pathogen from South America Infects Imported Fire Ants. USDA-ARS scientists found that the fire ant pathogen Thelohania solenopsae will infect both imported fire ant species in the United States and their hybrid. This discovery justifies continued evaluation of South American strains of this microsporidian pathogen as a self-sustaining biological control agent for the black and red imported fire ants in the U.S. These tests were conducted in quarantine facilities with infected ants shipped from the USDA biocontrol lab in Argentina. This pathogen provides another potential biocontrol agent that will hopefully help regulate imported fire ant populations by tilting the ecological balance in favor of native ants. New Fire Ant Pathogens. USDA-ARS scientists discovered a new fungal pathogen attacking fire ants
(Myrmicinosporidium durum). They also discovered a new fire ant protozoan pathogen (Mattesia sp.) that causes yellow head disease. These pathogens may have potential use as bioinsecticides or may help in the discovery of similar pathogens in South America that may serve as classical or self sustaining biocontrol agents. C. None D. Report not required 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Fire Ant Viral Pathogen. USDA-ARS scientists in cooperation with ARS scientists in Fort Pierce, FL have identified, for the first time, a virus infecting the red imported fire ant and have been able to successfully transmit this pathogen to other fire ant colonies. Colonies infected with this virus do not reproduce well. This discovery is important because this agent may be a good biological insecticide and because techniques used to discover it may allow us to discover additional viral pathogens. This virus was discovered
by examining DNA sequences in the fire ant genome. This virus adds a new biological agent in our arsenal of weapons against imported fire ants. Fire Ant Microsporidian Pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae: USDA-ARS scientists 1) discovered this pathogen in the U.S.; 2) determined how to artificially infect fire ant colonies with the pathogen; 3) documented the detrimental impact of this pathogen on fire ant queen fecundity and longevity; and 4) with other scientists from universities, APHIS, and state departments of agriculture infected fire ant colonies in the following 10 states: AR, AL, GA, FL, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, and TN. Although the impact of this natural control agent is still being assessed, the results have shown that it reduces the number and size of fire ant field colonies, in addition to spreading to surrounding colonies. This self-sustaining control agent should continue to exert pressure on the survival of fire ant colonies and continuous overall suppression of the
population. PCR Detection of Fire Ant Pathogens: USDA-ARS scientists developed PCR- based methods capable of identifying the pathogens Thelohania solenopsae and Vairimorpha invictae in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. These techniques are important because they provide a means to sample numerous fire ant colonies for the presence of these pathogens. PCR Detection of Multiple-Queen Fire Ant Colonies. DNA primers were designed to determine the differences between single-queen and multiple- queen colonies of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. This method is important because it is 100% accurate in discriminating the two forms and because a small sample of workers is sufficient to make the determination. This technique uses DNA primers to detect the Gp-9 alleles that discriminate the two forms. Multiple-queen fire ant colonies occur in 2- 3 times the densities of single-queen colonies. The impact of technique is that it gives scientists a powerful tool that will assist in
efforts to design methods of controlling multiple-queen fire ant populations. Phorid Decapitating Flies: In the last several years, USDA-ARS scientists have 1) learned to mass rear three additional species of Pseudacteon flies in laboratory conditions (P. curvatus, P. litoralis, and P. obtusus); 2) ran host specificity tests to show that these three new flies would be safe to release; 3) obtained permission to release two additional species in the field (P. curvatus, P. litoralis); 4) reared and provided the decapitating fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis, for release by cooperators in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi. 5) reared and provided a second decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus for release by cooperators in Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina. These accomplishments are important because they are the first successful efforts to release and establish biocontrol agents against pest ants. The release
and establishment of these flies together with the release of other natural fire ant enemies will potentially permanently reduce the abundance of fire ants throughout wide regions of the southeastern United States. Released New Biotypes of Two Decapitating Flies. USDA-ARS scientists in Gainesville, FL collected, reared, and established a second biotype of P. tricuspis flies and a second biotype of P. curvatus flies. This is important because the new biotype of P. tricuspis appears to do well in dry regions of central Texas and the second biotype of P. curvatus does well on red fire ants. This work was done in cooperation with ARS scientists in Argentina. The impact of these new biotypes is that they will expand the magnitude and breadth of the impact of decapitating flys on fire ant populations. Rapid Expansion of Decapitating Flies in the Field. USDA-ARS scientists and their cooperators in other states have determined that two species of decapitating flies (P. tricuspis and P.
curvatus) that were released 4-7 years ago are expanding rapidly (10-20 miles/year) out of more than a dozen release sites in the Southeast. These species currently occupy thousands of square miles in North Central Florida, South Florida, Central Alabama, Tennessee and smaller areas seven other states. These results are important because they clearly indicate that these flies will impact large areas of the fire ant range. The releases of these flies in combination with the release of other natural enemies will hopefully reduce populations of fire ants in the United States down to levels normally found in South America. Fire Ant Repellents: USDA-ARS scientists discovered and patented a number of effective fire ant repellents. While these compounds do not kill fire ants, they do provide the opportunity to exclude ants from areas where they are not wanted without the use of insecticides. Potential applications include urban picnic areas, high human use places in parks and recreational
areas, plant nurseries, hospitals, electrical equipment, interstate commerce, etc. Commercial partners for tech transfer are being sought to develop controlled release formulations of these volatile compounds. Newly Mated Fire Ant Queens: USDA-ARS scientists discovered that newly mated fire ant queens are adopted by queenless monogyne and polygyne workers. This is important because it impacts on how we view control and polygyny in the United States. Adoption of NMQs can lead to more rapid reinfestation of treated land and may promote the spread of polygyne populations. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? CRADA: Development of Commercial Products Using Sustain-Release Delivery Systems, with BioGuard Research & Development, Inc. This
CRADA is aimed in part at developing controlled release formulations to enhance the utilization of patented fire ant repellents and fire ant attractants. This technology should be transferred to end-users in 3-5 years. Grants: Completed fourth year of a National Research Initiative funded grant to study impacts of phorid flies on fire ant populations. A Phase II USDA-SBIR Grant was awarded to BioGuard R&D, Inc. to develop commercial fire ant repellent products. A three year of U.S. - Israel Binational Science Foundation grant for studying the social environment and biogenic amines effects on ant aggression concluded this fiscal year. A new four year ($200,000) United States - Israel Binational Science Foundation grant was awarded to a Unit scientist entitled "Signal Dynamics and Neuro-Regulation of Ant Nestmate Recognition Systems". The grant will commence in FY 05. Completed the second year of a Headquarters funded Research Associate grant to study fire ant attractant for phorid
fly parasites. Other: Phorid decapitating flies have been shipped to 10 states and Puerto Rico for inoculative field releases either directly or through the efforts of the APHIS rearing program. The technology to rear two species of phorid flies was transferred to a USDA-APHIS funded rearing facility in Gainesville, FL, to assist states with their efforts in managing fire ants. Rearing technology was also transferred to cooperators in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Training was provided by ARS scientists on integrating insecticides and biological control agents to develop an IPM approach for fire ant control. Workshop was organized by the Dept.of Defense (DoD), USDA-ARS, and Clemson University and presented to DoD personnel and extension agents in Columbia, SC, Sept. 2003. Collaborator on Department of the Army Contract to evaluate controlled release fire ant repellents for protection endangered birds from fire ant predation. Field Day and Training: Three scientists in unit
participated in the South Atlantic Area sponsored first Florida "Technology Transfer Showcase", held in Fort Pierce, FL, Oct 2002. Scientists in the unit provided training on techniques of identification, inoculation, and sampling of the fire ant pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae to cooperating scientists at other universities. This project has been incorporated into Objective 4: "Development, evaluation and safety of entomopathogens for control of veterinary and structural arthropod pests" within the "Cooperative Regional Project S-301, Development, Evaluation and Safety of Entomopathogens for Control of Arthropod Pests", which encourages cooperative research among State Ag. Experiment Station scientists. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. Presentations: Porter, S.D. "Environmental Impacts and Biological Control of Red Imported Fire Ants", at the 8th Annual Exotic Species Workshop for
Southwest Florida, sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (December), Naples, FL Oi, D.H. "Future Trends for Fire Ant Control" and "Effective Fire Ant Control", South Carolina Pest Control Assoc. Columbia, SC, Feb., 2004. (pest management professionals, scientists, manufacturers, regulators, predominately from SC) Oi, D.H. "The Real World: The Latest in Ant Research", Pest Control Technology Ant Management Summit, Atlanta, Georgia, March, 2004. (pest management professionals, scientists, manufacturers from across the U.S.) Multiple Functions of the Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, Alarm Pheromone R. K. Vander Meer and C. A. Preston, invited presentation for a Symposium entitled "Semiochemicals of Hymenoptera", at the Annual Conference of the International Society for Chemical Ecology held in Ottawa, Canada, July 2004.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Valles, S. M., Oi, D. H., Briano, J. A., Williams, D. F. 2004. Simultaneous Detection of Vairimopha invictae (Microsporidia: Burenellidae) and Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporidia: Thelohaniidae) in Fire Ants by PCR. Florida Entomologist. v. 87(1). p. 85-87.
- Valles, S. M. 2004. Effects of Cypermethrin Selection on Expression of Insecticide Resistance Mechanisms in the German Cockroach (Blattaria: Blattellidae). Journal of Entomological Science. v. 39(1). p.84-93.
- Katzav-Gozansky, T., Boulay, R., Vander Meer, R., Hefetz, A. 2004. In-nest environment modulates nestmate recognition in the ant Camponotus fellah. Naturwissenschaften. p. 1-10.
- Porter, S.D., Nogueira de Sa, L.A., Morrison, L.W. 2004. Establishment and dispersal of the fire ant decapitating fly Pseudacteon tricuspis in North Florida. Biological Control. v. 29. p. 179-188.
- Oi, D.H., Williams, D.F. 2003. Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporidia: Thelohaniidae) Infection In Reproductives of Red Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Its Implication for Intercolony Transmission. Environmental Entomology. v. 32(5). p. 1171-1176.
- Valles, S.M., Pereira, R.M. 2003. Use of ribosomal DNA sequence data to characterize and detect a neogregarine pathogen of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. v. 84. p. 114-118.
- Valles, S.M., Perera, O. P., Strong, C. A. 2003. Purification, biochemical characterization, and cDNA cloning of a glutathione S-transferase from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. v. 33. p. 981-988.
- Williams, D.F., Oi, D.H., Porter, S.D., Pereira, R.M., Briano, J.A. 2003. Biological Control of Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). American Entomologist. 2003. v. 49(3). p. 150-163.
- Lavine, B.K., Davidson, C., Vander Meer, R.K., Lahav, S., Soroker, V., Hefetz, A. 2003. Genetic algorithms for deciphering the complex chemosensory code of social insects. Journal of Chemometrics. v. 66. p. 51- 62.
- Yi, G.B., Mcclendon, W.D., Desaiah, D., Goddard, J., Lister, A., Moffitt, J., Vander Meer, R.K., Deshazo, R., Lee, K.S., Rockhold, R.W. 2003. The Fire Ant Venom Alkaloid, Isosolenopsin A, a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase. International Journal of Toxicology. 22:81-86.
- King, J.R., Porter, S.D. 2004. Recommendations on the use of alcohols for preservation of ant specimens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Insectes Sociaux. 51:197-201.
- Pereira, R.M. 2004. Occurence of Myrmicinosporidium durum in red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, and other new host ants in eastern United States. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 86:38-44.
- Morrison, L.W., Porter, S.D., Daniels, E., Korzukhin, M.D. 2004. Potential global range expansion of the invasive fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Biological Invasions. 6:183-191.
- Oi, D.H., Valles, S.M., Pereira, R.M. 2004. Prevalence of Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporidia: Thelohaniidae) Infection in Monogyne and Polygyne Red Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera:Formicidae). Environmental Entomology. 33(2):340-345.
- Williams, D.F., Deshazo, R.D. 2004. Biological control of fire ants:an update on new techniques. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 93:15- 22.
- Morrison, L.W., King, J.R. 2004. Host location behavior in a Parasitoid of Imported Fire Ants. Journal of Insect Behavior. 17(3):367-383.
- Graham, L.C., Porter, S.D., Pereira, R.M., Dorough, H.D., Kelley, A.T. 2003. Field releases of the decapitating fly Pseudateon curvatus (Diptera: Phoridae) for control of imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidaes) in Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. Florida Entomologist. 86(3):334-339.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Imported fire ants inhabit over 321 million acres in twelve southern states from Texas to Virginia in addition to Puerto Rico . Fire ants have also become established in limited areas in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Because of their tremendous populations and painful stings, fire ants are both an agricultural and urban pest and reduce biodiversity. Costs for damage, control measures, and medical treatments are reported to exceed $1 billion dollars annually. Chemical treatments can provide fast control in limited areas, but are costly and provide only temporary fire ant suppression. Fire ant populations in the U.S. are 5-7 times higher than in their native range of Brazil and Argentina, and the large populations are likely the result of escaping from natural enemies that occur in South America. Therefore, natural enemies of fire ants, which include parasitic phorid flies and a
microsporidian pathogen, gene expression among different social forms, and semiochemicals produced by fire ants and their parasites, are being evaluated to develop self- sustaining, biologically-based integrated pest management strategies for permanent or long term control of fire ants in the U.S. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Imported fire ants currently infest almost the entire southeastern United States plus they have recently expanded into parts of California, New Mexico, and Arizona. Well over 300 million acres are currently under APHIS quarantine. Fire ants cause serious problems for agriculture, human health, and the survival of many native animals. Estimates of economic damages range over a billion dollars a year. Fire ants reduce crop yields, damage electrical equipment, and are a problem for young animals in a variety of livestock operations and are a major concern to farmers, ranchers, and nurserymen. Fire ants are primarily a concern for human
health because about 40% of the people in the infested area are stung each year and about 1% of the population is allergic to their stings which can lead to serious medical complications including death. This means that hundreds of thousands of people in the South live in fear of getting stung. Additionally, fire ants are a serious environmental concern because they reduce the abundance and biodiversity of many native arthropods and ground nesting reptiles, birds, and mammals including some that are rare and endangered. 3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? This research is entirely within the scope of the imported fire ant component of National Program 104, Arthropod Pests of Animals and Humans (100%). Research represents efforts to provide self-sustaining, non- pesticidal, biologically-based control methods that would be safe and effective in urban, agricultural and natural ecosystems for a serious
medical, veterinary, and agricultural pest. Thus, the research problems addressed by this CRIS support the Pesticide Reduction Act through the development of integrated pest management technologies, as well as the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 through the development of reduced- risk control strategies. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment during FY 2003: The search for fire ant pathogens that are more devastating to fire ant colonies and offer greater suppression of their populations is important for use in integrated control of this pest. This past year, ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, in cooperation with ARS scientists at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL, have identified, for the first time, a virus infecting the red imported fire ant. Preliminary data supported the existence of a picornavirus in some fire ant
colonies. Now, we have successfully been able to transmit this pathogen to other fire ant colonies. This breakthrough could have major impact on the future discovery and development of biological control agents for fire ants. B. Other Significant Accomplishments: 1) Research with self-sustaining biocontrol agents is continuing because fire ants are a major problem across the southeastern United States and more recently in California and Puerto Rico. This past year, ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL successfully released a new biotype of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus against the red imported fire ant in Gainesville, Florida. This is the second species of decapitating flies successfully released against red imported fire ants. This biotype has also recently been released at two other sites in Florida and one site in South Carolina. A third species of decapitating fly, Pseudacteon litoralis was released
against imported fire ants near Gainesville, Florida. Finally, we have established a colony of a fourth species of decapitating fly, Pseudacteon obtusus, currently in quarantine. Successful release and establishment of these flies expand the magnitude and breadth of control by providing self-sustaining biological control agents. 2) The pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae has excellent potential for use as a biocontrol agent against fire ants. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, Florida utilizing a new PCR detection method developed by these scientists examined the epidemiology of this disease and determined that natural field infections of T. solenopsae are more prevalent in colonies of fire ants that contained several queens. Although it was determined that colonies with a single-queen are not immune to infection. These findings support the continued development of this pathogen which will be used as a persistent,
non-chemical, control agent for fire ants. 3) Decapitating Pseudacteon flies have been found attacking fire ants in South America. The flies are host specific and have been shown to stop fire ant foraging and may shift the local competitive balance to other ant species. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, investigated the interaction between the parasitic fly Pseudacteon tricuspis and fire ants and found the flies were attracted to compounds released by electrically stimulated fire ants. The scientists subsequently demonstrated the involvement of alarm pheromones and have now identified fire ant alarm pheromones. Once the active compounds are verified, formulations will be developed to increase rearing efficiency, and to devise effective detection traps. This work has the potential to enhance the productivity of mass rearing the flies by ARS, APHIS and state cooperators and could lead to the development of a trap for use
in detecting new decapitating fly populations or focus these flies to a desired area such as where larger fire ant populations are located. 4) Molecular biology and genetic techniques are important tools for use in the discovery, detection and development of new biologically-based methods of control. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL have designed primers to determine the differences between single-queen and multiple- queen colonies of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. This method was 100% accurate in discriminating the two forms. The scientists also purified, characterized, cloned, and sequenced the first detoxification enzyme (Glutathione transferase) from the fire ant, and cloned and sequenced the 18S rRNA gene from a new pathogen (Mattesia YHD) of the fire ant. Finally, the scientists developed a PCR technique to detect Vairimorpha invictae in fire ants. This microsporidian species is a very promising biocontrol
agent for the fire ant in the U.S. The impact of these discoveries will advance our knowledge of the fire ant's biology which we can exploit for the purpose of controlling of this pest. C. NONE D. Report not required 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Fire Ant Pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae: ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL 1) discovered this pathogen in the U.S.; 2) determined how to artificially infect fire ant colonies with the pathogen; 3) documented the detrimental impact of this pathogen on fire ant queen fecundity and longevity; 4) documented the natural spread of the pathogen for the first time under field conditions in multiple-queen colonies of red imported fire ants in the U.S.; 5) with other scientists from universities, APHIS, and state departments of agriculture infected fire ant colonies in the following 10 states: AR, AL,
GA, FL, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, and TN, and infected fire ants were found in 7 of the 10 states, which included for the first time infections in single-queen colonies; 6) discovered a new spore type within the life cycle of the fire ant pathogen; and 7) documented mortality of infected multiple-queen colonies. Although the impact of this natural control agent is still being assessed, we have shown that it reduces the number and size of fire ant field colonies, in addition to spreading to surrounding colonies. This self-sustaining control agent should continue to exert pressure on the survival of fire ant colonies and continuous overall suppression of the population. PCR Detection Methods: The pursuit of detection methods for Thelohania solenopsae was conducted because the current method (microscopy) is extremely time consuming, labor intensive, and incapable of detecting vegetative stages of this organism. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology
in Gainesville, FL developed a PCR-based method capable of identification of the pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae, in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. This method provides a means to sample numerous fire ant colonies for the presence of the pathogen, in addition, to allowing an extensive search for intermediate hosts of this microorganism which has assisted in developing methods to spread the disease to uninfected ants. Phorid Decapitating Flies: ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL 1) discovered that these flies grow and develop inside the heads of fire ant workers; 2) demonstrated that these flies are important natural enemies of fire ants; 3) obtained permission to export these flies from Brazil; 4) learned to mass rear four species of flies in laboratory conditions; 5) provided the decapitating fly Pseudacteon tricuspis for release by cooperators in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, South
Carolina and Mississippi. 6) demonstrated that these flies are very specific parasites of imported fire ant workers; 7) released two species of flies and demonstrated that they will establish a self-sustaining population on fire ants in the United States; 8) obtained permission to release another species of phorid fly in the United States, and 9) collected additional species of decapitating flies in South America. These flies will obstruct the foraging ability of fire ants allowing native ants to better compete which in turn should suppress the overall fire ant population. The releases of these flies in combination with the release of other natural enemies will hopefully reduce populations of fire ants in the United States down to levels normally found in South America. Parasitic Ant, Solenopsis daguerrei: 1) determined that the parasite is found only on red and black imported fire ants in a field survey in Argentina; 2) maintained the parasite under laboratory conditions which will
facilitate further studies on host range to ants native to N. America and fire ant control potential. These studies are needed to determine if the parasite should be released in the U.S.; 3) determined that queens that initiated a flight were mated prior to flying, thus mid- air mating is not required. This could be another biological control agent for use against the imported fire ant in the U.S. Fire Ant Pheromone Research: ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL have investigated fire ant pheromones for many years. Results of this research follows: 1) Alarm Pheromones: Phorid flies represent a sustainable biological control agent against fire ants and are labor intensive to rear in the laboratory; therefore, increasing phorid fly rearing efficiency is very desirable. The scientists investigated how the parasitic fly locates its fire ant host and discovered that fire ant workers release exocrine gland products that
attract phorid fly parasites. We now have determined that the active compounds are fire ant alarm pheromones released from the ant's mandibular glands. Once the active compounds are isolated, formulations can be developed to increase rearing efficiency, and to devise effective detection traps. 2) Recruitment Pheromone: We have done pioneering work on elucidating how the fire ant locates food and recruits others workers to that food. The recruitment, attractant, and induction pheromones offer the possibility of enhancing the efficacy and species-specificity of currently used bait toxicants, and new biologically-based behavior modification technologies. The total fire ant recruitment pheromone (attraction, orientation induction, and orientation) is the most completely understood ant pheromone system in terms of both chemistry and behavior, and serves as a model for researchers worldwide. 3) Nestmate Recognition pheromones: We have made many discoveries that have been important to the
understanding of nestmate recognition in ants. Recognition of intruders (other ants, pathogens, parasites, predators) as non-nestmate, triggers colony defenses that protect the colony from invasion. Knowledge of nestmate recognition enabled us to decipher how two fire ant parasites are able to integrate into the highly aggressive fire ant colonies. This work has had a major impact on hymenopteran nestmate recognition research. Cracking the nestmate recognition code for the fire ant will help us to more effectively introduce parasite, pathogen, and/or predator biological control agents, as well as biologically-based population suppression technologies. Fire Ant Pheromone Enhanced Baits: Synthetically available queen pheromone component, invictolide, was used as a model to demonstrate the concept and advantages of pheromone enhanced baits. We showed: (1) fire ants discover pheromone enhanced baits significantly faster than non- enhanced baits; (2) paired single mound field treatments
demonstrated that pheromone enhanced baits gave more rapid control then non-enhanced baits; (3) invictolide enhanced bait kept in a closed vial, maintained structural integrity and biological activity for over two years-a necessary requirement for commercialization. Fire Ant Repellents: We discovered and patented a number of effective fire ant repellents. While these compounds do not kill fire ants, they do provide the opportunity to exclude ants from areas where they are not wanted without the use of insecticides. Potential applications include urban picnic areas, high human use places in parks and recreational areas, plant nurseries, hospitals, electrical equipment, interstate commerce, etc. Commercial interactions are being sought to develop controlled release formulations of these volatile compounds. Newly Mated Fire Ant Queens: Discovered that newly mated fire ant queens (NMQs) are adopted by queenless monogyne and polygyne workers, this has tremendous impact on how we view
control and polygyny in the United States. Adoption of NMQs can lead to more rapid reinfestation of treated land and may promote the spread of polygyne populations. Fire Ant Sting Apparatus: We discovered that the fire ant's sting apparatus has a multiplicity of functions, ranging from defensive behaviors (stinging, venom flinging, and aerosol dispersal) to pheromone dispersal (recruitment and queen worker attractant pheromones). These discoveries have helped us to understand how the fire ant uses pheromones to direct the complex activities that occur within the colony and present avenues for pheromone isolation and disruption of these processes. New Class of Delayed Action Toxicants: We discovered a powerful new class of delayed action toxicant and received several patents related to this discovery. The invention was licensed and has successfully brought needed pest control products to the public, e.g. cockroaches and household ant bait stations, leaf-cutting ant baits, and
termite baits. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? Year 1: Determine rates of fire ant reinfestation of chemically treated area, that are within a location that contains natural infection of the fire ant pathogen Thelohania solenopsae. Assess infectivity of different isolates of the fire ant pathogen T. solenopsae from South America on the red and black imported fire ant populations found in the U.S. Evaluate impact of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon tricuspis on fire ant populations in North Florida. Mass rear and test release two additional species of phorid flies (Pseudacteon curvatus, Pseudacteon litoralis) on red imported fire ant populations. Evaluate the host specificity of a third new species (Pseudacteon obtusus) and apply for permits for field release if appropriate. Travel to Argentina and collect 1-2 additional species of decapitating flies for rearing in quarantine. The fire ant worker produced kairomones that attract phorid flies
will be identified spectroscopically and synthesized if necessary. Investigation of kairomone controlled release systems for use in field detection traps and for rearing enhancement will start. Investigation of queen releaser pheromones will commence aiming toward species-specific enhanced fire ant baits. Identify unique genes (or differentially expressed genes) in the different social forms of fire ant by suppression subtractive expression library synthesis. Completely sequence the picornavirus genome we discovered from the fire ant. Year 2: Determine how the fire ant pathogen, T. solenpsae is being naturally transferred within and between colonies to help us improve artificial inoculation methods. Monitor releases of P. curvatus and P. litoralis on red imported fire ant populations. Begin releases of P. obtusus assuming permits can be obtained. Rear and evaluate several new species of flies in quarantine from those collected in Argentina the previous year. Collect additional
species of flies in South America if necessary. Transfer P. litoralis to the APHIS/DPI/ARS rearing facility if trial field releases are successful. Controlled release formulations of fire ant alarm pheromones will be developed and evaluated for use in phorid fly parasite field detection traps and for phorid fly rearing enhancement. Attempt to exploit differences in gene expression between the two social forms of fire ant for control purposes. Assess and attempt to increase the impact of the Fire Ant Virus (FAV) on fire ants. Year 3: Artificially transmit another fire ant pathogen, Vairimorpha invictae to uninfected fire ant colonies. Continue to monitor the establishment, dispersal, and impacts of species of decapitating flies released in previous years. Release additional species as they become available. Transfer additional species to the APHIS/DPI/ARS rearing facility if available for release and dispersal to other states. Fire ant semiochemical interactions with other phorid
fly species will be investigated. Queen releaser pheromones will be tentatively identified and necessary syntheses commenced. Attempt to exploit differences in gene expression between the two social forms of fire ant for control purposes. Identify differentially expressed genes in monogyne fire ant workers in the presence and absence of a queen. 7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? CRADA: Development of Commercial Products Using Sustain-Release Delivery Systems, with BioGuard Research Development, Inc. This CRADA is aimed in part at developing controlled release formulations to enhance the utilization of patented fire ant repellents and fire ant attractants. This technology should be transferred to end-users in 3-5 years. Grants:
Fourth year of a National Research Initiative funded grant to study impacts of phorid flies on fire ant populations. Entered the 3rd year of a U.S. - Israel Binational Science Foundation grant for studying the social environment and biogenic amines effects on ant aggression. Entered the second year of a Headquarters funded Research Associate grant to study fire ant attractant for phorid fly parasites. Collaborator on Department of the Army Contract to evaluate controlled release fire ant repellents for protection endangered birds from fire ant predation. Field Day and Training: Three scientists in unit participated in the South Atlantic Area sponsored first Florida "Technology Transfer Showcase", held in Fort Pierce, FL, Oct 2002. Scientists in the unit provided training on techniques of identification, inoculation, and sampling of the fire ant pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae to cooperating scientists at other universities. This project has been incorporated into Objective 4:
"Development, evaluation and safety of entomopathogens for control of veterinary and structural arthropod pests" within the "Cooperative Regional Project S-301, Development, Evaluation and Safety of Entomopathogens for Control of Arthropod Pests", which encourages cooperative research among State Ag. Experiment Station scientists. 8. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: This does not replace your peer-reviewed publications listed below). Publications in the Popular Press: Agricultural Research Magazine, Feb. 2003; "Hot on the Trail of Fire Ants". vol. 51 (2): 20-22. Pacific Nut Producer, March 2003; "New Discoveries Could Help Manage Fire Ants. vol. 9 (3): 20. Florida Agriculture, July, 2003; "USDA Researchers work to take bite out of pests" vol. 62 (7): page 510. Presentations: Vander Meer, R.K. and Preston, C.A., Claustral colony founding by multiple newly mated queens of
different social form. 2003 Imported Fire Ant Conference, Palm Springs, CA (scientists, manufacturers, county agents, regulatory) Preston, C.A. and Vander Meer, R.K., Interspecific responses to alarm pheromones within Solenopsis spp. The Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nov. 2002. (Presentation) Vander Meer, R.K., Fire ant baits: What are the needs and how do we get there? The Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nov. 2002. (Presentation) Landolt, P.J., Vander Meer, R.K., and Reed, H., Symposium: Behavioral Modification: A critical component of social insect IPM. The Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nov. 2002. Vander Meer, R.K., Repellents for Ants. Florida Technology Transfer Showcase, Fort Pierce, FL, Oct 2002. (entrepreneurs, business, manufacturers) Vander Meer, R.K., Attractants for Social Insects. Florida Technology Transfer Showcase, Fort Pierce, FL, Oct 2002.
(entrepreneurs, business, manufacturers) Oi, D.H. "Fire ants: biological and chemical warfare" National Pest Management Association 2002 Convention and Exposition, Orlando Florida, Oct. 18, 2002. (pest management professionals, scientists, manufacturers, regulators) Porter, S.D. "Exotic ants of the world: a rogues gallery" Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 2002 Porter, S.D., Johnson, S.J., Graham, L.C., Horton, P.M., Lockley, T. "Release and establishment of the fire ant decapitating fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis, in the southeastern United States" 2003 Imported Fire Ant Conference, Palm Springs, California, March, 2003. Porter, S.D. "Biocontrol of fire ants" Organic Farming Workshop, FACTS, Lakeland, Florida, April 29, 2003 Porter, S.D. "Phorid flies and fire ant biocontrol" Madison County Beef Cattleman's Association, Madison, Florida, October0 2003. Williams, D.F. "Invasion of the Solenopsis complex into North America". Annual
Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 2002 Williams, D.F. "History of Fire Ant Bait Development". Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 2002 Williams, D.F. "An Integrated Pest Management Approach for the Imported Fire Ant" 2003 Imported Fire Ant Conference, Palm Springs, California, March, 2003. (scientists, industry representatives manufacturers, county agents, regulatory agents) Williams, D.F. "ARS Imported Fire Ant Research Update". Annual Meeting of the Southern Plant Board, San Juan, Puerto Rico, April, 2003. (scientists, industry representatives state Federal regulatory agents) Williams, D.F. "Areawide Suppression of the Imported Fire Ant: An Integrated Management Approach". 2003 Pacific Entomology Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, February, 2003. Williams, D.F. "Imported Fire Ants". 26th Annual Field Day Workshop in Entomology, Florida AM University, Tallahassee, Florida,
November, 2003. (scientists, industry representatives manufacturers) Williams, D.F. "History of Fire Ant Control". Southeast Pest Management Conference, Gainesville, Florida, May, 2003. (scientists, industry representatives manufacturers, county agents, regulatory agents)
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- SHAPIRO, A.M., BECNEL, J.J., OI, D.H., WILLIAMS, D.F. ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION AND FURTHER TRANSMISSION STUDIES OF THELOHANIA SOLENOPSAE FROM SOLENOPSIS INVICTA PUPAE. JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY. 2003. v. 83. p. 177-180.
- VALLES, S.M., PERERA, O.P., STRONG, C.A. Relationship between the para- homologous sodium channel point mutation (g-->c at nucleotide 2979) and knockdown resistance in the german cockroach using multiplex pcr to discern genotype. JOURNAL OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY. 2003. v. 96(3). p. 885-891.
- VALLES, S.M., PORTER, S.D. IDENTIFICATION OF POLYGYNE AND MONGYNE FIRE ANT COLONIES (SOLENOPSIS INVICTA) SOCIAL ORGANIZATION BY MULTIPLEX PCR OF GP-9 ALLELES. INSECTES SOCIAUX. 2003. v. 50. p. 199-200.
- KLOTZ, J.H., JETTER, K.M., GREENBERG, L., HAMILTON, J., KABASHIMA, J., WILLIAMS, D.F. AN INSECT PEST FOR AGRICULTURAL, URBAN, AND WILDLIFE AREAS: THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT. SUMNER D.A. EDITOR. AMES, IA: IOWA STATE PRESS; CHAPTER 10, 2003. p. 151-166. EXOTIC PESTS AND DISEASES: BIOLOGY AND ECONOMICS FOR BIOSECURITY. 2003.
- WETTERER, J.K., PORTER, S.D. THE LITTLE FIRE ANT, WASMANNIA AUROPUNCTATA: DISTRIBUTION, IMPACT, AND CONTROL. SOCIOBIOLOGY. 2003. v. 42(1). p. 1-41
- VALLES, S.M., PEREIRA, R.M. Hydramethylnon Potentiation in Solenopsis invicta by Infection with the Microsporidium, Thelohania solenopsae. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL. 2003. v. 27. p. 95-99.
- WUELLNER, C.T., PORTER, S.D., GILBERT, L.E. ECLOSION, MATING, AND GROOMING BEHAVIOR OF THE PARASITOID FLY PSEUDACTEON CURVATUS (DIPTERA: PHORIDAE). FLORIDA ENTOMOLOGIST. 2002. v. 85(4). p. 563-566.
- MORRISON, L.W., PORTER, S.D. POSITIVE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DENSITIES OF THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT, SOLENOPSIS INVICTA (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) AND GENERALIZED ANT AND ARTHROPOD DIVERSITY. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY. 2003. v. 32(3). p. 548-554
- BOULAY, R., KATZAV-GOVANSKY, T., VANDER MEER, R.K., HEFETZ, A. Colony insularity through queen control on worker social motivation in ants. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences. 2003. v. 270. p. 971-977.
- JAMES, S.S., PEREIRA, R.M., VAIL, K.M., OWNLEY, B.H. SURVIVAL OF IMPORTED FIRE ANT (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) SPECIES SUBJECTED TO FREEZING AND NEAR- FREEZING TEMPERATURES. POPULATION ECOLOGY. 2002. v. 31(1). p. 127-133.
- PEREIRA, R.M., WILLIAMS, D.F., BECNEL, J.J., OI, D.H. YELLOW HEAD DISEASE CAUSED BY A NEWLY DISCOVERED MATTESIA SP. IN POPULATIONS OF THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT, SOLENOPSIS INVICTA. JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY. 2002. v. 81. p. 45-48.
- ALVES, S.B., ROSSI, L.S., LOPES, R.B., TAMAI, M.A., PEREIRA, R.M. BEAUVERIA BASSIANA YEAST PHASE ON AGAR MEDIUM AND ITS PATHOGENICITY AGAINSTDIATRAEA SACCHARALIS (LEPIDOPTERA: CRAMBIDAE) AND TETRANYCHUS URTICAE (ACARI:TETRANYCHIDAE). JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY. 2003. v. 81. p. 70-77.
- VANDER MEER, R.K., SLOWIK, T.J., THORVILSON, H.G. SEMIOCHEMICALS RELEASED BY ELECTRICALLY STIMULATED RED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS, SOLENOPSIS INVICTA. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY. 2002. v. 28(12). p. 2585-2600.
- ZACARO, A.A., PORTER, S.D. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF THE DECAPITATING FLY PSEUDACTEON WASMANNI SCHMITZ (DIPTERA: PHORIDAE). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT. 2003. v. 31. p. 329-337.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Imported fire ants inhabit over 321 million acres in twelve southern states from Texas to Virginia in addition to Puerto Rico . Fire ants have also become established in limited areas in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Because of their tremendous populations and painful stings, fire ants are both an agricultural and urban pest and reduce biodiversity. Costs for damage, control measures, and medical treatments are reported to exceed $1 billion dollars annually. Chemical treatments can provide fast control in limited areas, but are costly and provide only temporary fire ant suppression. Fire ant populations in the U.S. are 5-7 times higher than in their native range of Brazil and Argentina, and the large populations are likely the result of escaping from natural enemies that occur in South America. Therefore, to alleviate this problem, natural enemies of fire ants, which include
parasitic phorid flies and a microsporidian pathogen, and semiochemicals produced by fire ants and their parasites, are being evaluated to develop self-sustaining, biologically-based integrated pest management strategies for permanent or long term control of fire ants in the U.S. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Imported fire ants currently infest almost the entire southeastern United States plus they have recently expanded into parts of California, New Mexico, and Arizona. Well over 300 million acres are currently under APHIS quarantine. Fire ants cause serious problems for agriculture, human health, and the survival of many native animals. Estimates of economic damages range over a billion dollars a year. Fire ants reduce crop yields, damage electrical equipment, and are a problem for young animals in a variety of livestock operations and are a major concern to farmers, ranchers, and nurserymen. Fire ants are primarily a concern for human health because about
40% of the people in the infested area are stung each year and about 1% of the population is allergic to their stings which can lead to serious medical complications including death. This means that hundreds of thousands of people in the South live in fear of getting stung. Additionally, fire ants are a serious environmental concern because they reduce the abundance and biodiversity of many native arthropods and ground nesting reptiles, birds, and mammals including some that are rare and endangered. 3. How does it relate to the national Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? This research is entirely within the scope of the imported fire ant component of National Program 104, Arthropod Pests of Animals and Humans (100%). Research represents efforts to provide self-sustaining, non- pesticidal, biologically-based control methods that would be safe and effective in urban, agricultural and natural ecosystems for a serious medical, veterinary, and
agricultural pest,. Thus, the research problems addressed by this CRIS support the Pesticide Reduction Act through the development of integrated pest management technologies, as well as the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 through the development of reduced- risk control strategies. 4. What was your most significant accomplishment this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment during FY 2002: The current detection method (microscopy) is extremely time consuming, labor intensive, and incapable of detecting vegetative stages of the fire ant pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae. A PCR-based method was developed that was capable of identification of this pathogen in the red imported fire ant by ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL. This method provides a means to sample numerous fire ant colonies for the presence of the pathogen. B. Other Significant Accomplishments: 1) Imported fire ants are a major problem across
the southeastern United States and more recently in California and Puerto Rico. This past year, ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL provided the decapitating fly Pseudacteon tricuspis and the pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae, for release by cooperators in Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina and Mississippi. Field reared flies and pathogen infected colonies have been recovered from most of the releases in several of these states. These releases in combination with the release of other natural enemies should reduce populations of fire ants in the United States down to levels normally found in South America. C. NONE D. Report not required. 5. Describe your major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact? Fire Ant Pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae: 1) discovered this pathogen in the U. S. and determined how
to artificially infect fire ant colonies with the pathogen; 2) documented the detrimental impact of this pathogen on fire ant queen fecundity and longevity; 3) documented the natural spread of the pathogen under field conditions in red imported fire ants in the U.S.; 4) discovered a new spore type within life cycle of the fire ant pathogen. The impact of this natural control agent is still being assessed, but we have shown that it reduces the number and size of fire ant field colonies. Phorid Decapitating Flies: 1) discovered that these flies grow and develop inside the heads of fire ant workers; 2) demonstrated that these flies are important natural enemies of fire ants; 3) learned to mass rear two species of flies in laboratory conditions; 4) demonstrated that these flies are very specific parasites of imported fire ant workers; 5) released two species of flies and demonstrated that they established a self-sustaining population on fire ants in the United States. These flies
will obstruct the foraging ability of fire ants allowing native ants to better compete which should suppress the fire ant population. Fire Ant Pheromone Enhanced Baits: Demonstrated that (1) fire ants discover pheromone enhanced baits significantly faster than non-enhanced baits; (2) field treatments demonstrated that pheromone enhanced baits gave more rapid control then non-enhanced baits and (3) enhanced bait kept in a closed vial, maintained biological activity for over two years. Fire Ant Repellents: 1) discovered and patented a number of effective fire ant repellents. 2) Potential applications include urban picnic areas, high human use places in parks and recreational areas, plant nurseries, hospitals, electrical equipment, and interstate commerce. Fire Ant Sting Apparatus: 1) discovered that the fire ant's sting apparatus has a multiplicity of functions, ranging from defensive behaviors (stinging, venom flinging, and aerosol dispersal) to pheromone dispersal (recruitment
and queen worker attractant pheromones). These discoveries helped us understand how the fire ant uses pheromones to direct the complex activities that occur within the colony. New Class of Delayed Action Toxicants: 1) discovered a powerful new class of delayed action toxicant and received several patents related to this discovery, 2) the invention was licensed and has successfully brought needed pest control products to the public, e.g. cockroaches and household ant bait stations, leaf-cutting ant baits,and termite baits. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? FY2003: Determine reinfestation rates of fire ants in areas infected by the fire ant pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae. Establish mass production of the phorid fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis, with collaborators from APHIS, Florida and Mississippi which will produce flies for fire ant infested states. Kairomones released from fire ant workers that are responsible for phorid fly activation,
attraction, and attack will be isolated and identification started. FY2004: Assess infectivity of different isolates of the fire ant pathogen Thelohania solenopsae from South America. Continue to evaluate the impacts of phorid flies on fire ant populations in Florida. Kairomones that attract phorid flies will be identified. FY2005: Determine the intermediate host(s) of Thelohania solenopsae. Collect additional phorid fly species that attack fire ants from South America. Controlled release formulations of fire ant alarm pheromones will be developed and evaluated for use in phorid fly field detection traps. 7. What technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the technology likely to become available to the end user (industry, farmer other scientist)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption durability of the technology? The development of mass rearing methods and techniques of the phorid flies, Pseudacteon tricuspis and P. curvatus, has been accomplished and the
technology has been transferred to collaborators from APHIS, the state of Florida and ARS scientists in Mississippi who are mass producing flies for use in fire ant infested states. CRADA: A CRADA is in place to develop controlled release formulations for fire ant/phorid fly semiochemicals, repellents, and attractants. This technology should be transferred to end users in 3-5 years. Development of Commercial Products Using Sustain-Release Delivery Systems, with BioGuard Research & Development, Inc. This CRADA is aimed in part at developing controlled release formulations to enhance the utilization of patented fire ant repellents. This technology should be transferred to end users in 3-5 years. 8. List your most important publications and presentations, and articles written about your work (NOTE: this does not replace your review publications which are listed below) Oi, D.H., Williams, D.F., Watson, C.A. "Imported fire ant monitoring and treatment on a tropical fish farm" Florida
Entomological Society 85th Annual Meeting, Clearwater Beach, Florida, July 28-31, 2002. (scientists, manufacturers, regulatory) Oi, D.H., Williams, D.F. "Mechanisms of intercolony transmission of Thelohania solenopsae in red imported fire ants" 2002 Imported Fire Ant Conference, Athens, Georgia, March 25, 2002. (scientists, manufacturers, county agents, regulatory) Oi, D.H., Bentley, W.J. "Biological and Chemical Control of Ants" 29th Annual Almond Industry Conference, Modesto, California, Dec. 5-6, 2001. (growers, consultants, scientists, manufacturers, county agents) Vander Meer, R.K. and Porter, S.D., Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, Worker Alarm Pheromones Attract Pseudacteon Phorid Flies. The Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada, Dec. 2001. (Presentation) Vander Meer, R.K. and Fritz, G.N., Sympatry of Fire Ant Polygyne and Monogyne Social Forms Annual Fire Ant Conference, Athens, GA. March 2002. (Presentation & Proceedings) Vander Meer, R.K. and Porter,
S.D., Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, Worker Alarm Pheromones Attract Pseudacteon Phorid Flies. Annual Fire Ant Conference, Athens, GA. March 2002. (Presentation & Proceedings) Vander Meer, R.K., Semiochemicals and communication in social systems: future directions. International Congress of the Union for the Study of Social Insects, Sapporo, Japan July/August 2002. (Presentation & Proceedings) Vander Meer, R.K., Chemical Communication in Social Insects at the International Congress of the IUSSI, Kyoto, Japan, July 2002. Invited to Co-organize the Symposium, Behavior Modification: A Critical Component of Social Insect IPM, and present the paper, "Fire Ant Baits: What are the Needs and How Do We Get There?
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Briano, J.A., Williams, D.F., Oi, D.H., Davis Jr. L.R. Field host range of the fire ant pathogens Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporidia: Thelohaniidae) and Vairimorpha invictae (Microsporidia: Burenellidae) in South America. Biological Control. 2002. v. 24. p. 98-102.
- Burns, S.N., Teal, P.E.A., Vander Meer, R.K., Nation, J.L., Vogt, J.T. Identification and action of juvenile hormone III from sexually mature alate females of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Journal of Insect Pathology. 2002. v. 48. p. 357-265.
- Davis, Jr. L.R., Vander Meer, R.K., Porter, S.D. Red Imported Fire Ants Expand Their Range Across the West Indies. Florida Entomologist. 2001. v. 84(4). p. 735-736.
- Oi, D.H., Williams, D.F. Impact of Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporidia: Thelohaniidae) on Polygyne Colonies of Red Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). 2002. v. 95(3). p. 558-562.
- Porter, S.D., Pesquero, M.A. Illustrated Key to Pseudacteon Decapitating Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) that Attack Saevissima saevissima Complex Fire Ants in South America. Florida Entomologist. 2001. v. 84(4). p. 691-699.
- Sanchez-Arroyo, H., Koehler, P.G., Valles, S.M. Effects of the Synergists Piperonyl Butoxide and S,S,S-Tributyl Phosphororithioate on Propoxur Pharmacokinetics in Blattella Germanica (Blattodea: Blattellidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 2001. v. 94(5). p. 1209-1216.
- Valles, S.M., Woodson, W.D. Insecticide Susceptibility and Detoxification Enzyme Activities Among Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki Workers Sampled from Different Locations in the New Orleans Area. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 2002. part C 131. p. 469-476.
- Williams, D.F., Collins, H.L., Oi, D.H. The Red Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): An Historical Perspective of Treatment Programs and the Development of Chemical Baits for Control. American Entomology. 2001. v. 47. p. 146-159.
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