Progress 03/15/01 to 02/28/06
Outputs
Progress Report 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? Why does it matter? This project is aligned with National Program 304 Crop Protection and Qurantine and National Program 104 Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology. Imported fire ants inhabit millions of acres of pasture in twelve southern states from Texas to Virginia. Fire ants have also become established in limited areas in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Because of their tremendous populations and painful sting, fire ants are agricultural, rural and urban pests. Costs for damage, control measures, and medical treatments are estimated to be approximately 6 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. To resolve this issue, natural enemies of fire ants, such as parasitic decapitating flies and a microsporidian pathogen are being evaluated to develop self-sustaining, biologically-based integrated pest management strategies for permanent or long term suppression of fire ants in the U.S. The integration of chemical bait pesticides and biological control agents will be utilized in this program. The ant population will be reduced by the application of chemical bait applications and the biological control agents will serve to prevent reinfestation of the treated area. This project will assess the impact of self-sustaining biological control agents against red imported fire ant populations and demonstrate the use of specific insect parasites, predators, and other tactics used over a broad area (~300 acres). Integration of biological and chemical control
agents over large areas can keep fire ant populations below the point where they impose a financial burden on farmers and ranchers or cause ecological damage to native wildlife. Kept at low levels, pests are more responsive to biological controls. Five sites have been chosen to represent the diversity of climate conditions where fire ants exist in the U.S. Florida represents a subtropical environment that allows the fire ant to have mating flights throughout the year. Oklahoma represents the northern extreme of fire ant invasions, where populations may be limited by cold winter temperatures and may be relatively unstable. Texas represents the western extreme of contiguous infestations in the southeast U.S. where a semi-arid climate may favour the impacts of the decapitating flies on fire ant populations. South Carolina represents the eastern extreme of the fire ant range in the U.S. Mississippis sites are established in areas infested with the black imported fire ant (Solenopsis
richteri) and will allow comparison of the same IPM approach on a different species. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is an invasive species inadvertently introduced into the USA and infests over 321 million acres in 12 southeastern states and Puerto Rico. Recently a sustaining population has been found in California, and it has also been reported sporadically in Arizona, New Mexico and Maryland. The fire ant thrives in disturbed habitats where people are likely to be present. The ants potent sting and large populations have created serious medical and agricultural problems. About 40 percent of the human population in infested areas are stung each year. Fire ants damage many crops and create problems for the cattle industry. Economic analysis conducted under this project shows that the annual economic impact of fire ants in the US economy is approximately 6 billion dollars, including 1.3 billion dollars in FL, 1.2 billion
dollars in TX, 210 million dollars in SC, 164 million dollars in MS, and 18 million dollars in OK. There are only two commercial toxic bait treatments available for fire ant control in pasture. These bait are non-specific, costly and require multiple treatments per year, year after year. The continual treatment/re-invasion process perpetuates the ecological balance originally upset by the invading imported fire ant. Fire ant densities in the United States are about five times those found in their indigenous South America, most likely because in the United States they have escaped from their native natural enemies. 2. List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) FY-01 1. Appointment of Core Team 2. Organizational Meeting with Core Team 3. Plan of Work for Initial Proposed Sites 4. Execution of Specific Cooperative Agreement 5. Site Selection FY-02 1. Final Site Selection 2. Annual Core Team Meeting 3. Develop Support Research Plan 4. Develop
Economic Assessment Plan 5. Develop Environmental Assessment Plan 6. Develop Education Component Plan 7. Prepare Comprehensive Budget for Program with Site Budgets 8. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 9. Initial Population Assessments 10. Initial Chemical Bait Applications 11. Initial Releases of Biological Control Agents 12. Video Document Project Progress 13. Website Development 14. Monitor Population Assessments 15. Apply Chemical Baits as Needed FY03 1. Annual Core Team Meeting 2. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 3. Prepare Comprehensive Budget for Program with Site Budgets 4. Assess & modify Support Research Plan 5. Assess & modify Economic Assessment Plan 6. Assess & modify Environmental Assessment Plan 7. Assess & Modify Education Component Plan 8. Further Releases of Biological Control Agents 9. Fire Ant Population Assessments (Mound Counts, PI Assessments, Baits) 10. Ecological Assessments (Pitfall traps) 11. Decapitating Fly Population
Assessment 12. Thelohania Prevalence Assessment 13. Website Maintenance 14. Video Document Project Progress 15. Monitor Population Assessments 16. Apply Chemical Baits as Needed 17. Augment Biological Control Agents FY-04 1. Annual Core Team Meeting 2. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 3. Prepare Comprehensive Budget for Program with Site Budgets 4. Assess & modify Support Research Plan 5. Assess & modify Economic Assessment Plan 6. Assess & modify Environmental Assessment Plan 7. Assess & Modify Education Component Plan 8. Website Maintenance 9. Video Document Project Progress 10. Monitor Population Assessments 11. Apply Chemical Baits as Needed 12. Augment Biological Control Agents FY-05 1. Annual Core Team Meeting 2. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 3. Prepare Comprehensive Budget for Program with Site Budgets 4. Assess & modify Support Research Plan 5. Assess & modify Economic Assessment Plan 6. Assess & modify Environmental Assessment Plan 7.
Assess & Modify Education Component Plan 8. Website Maintenance 9. Video Document Project Progress 10. Monitor Population Assessments 11. Apply Chemical Baits as Needed 12. Locate and Develop High Value Demonstration Sites FY06 1. Annual Core Team Meeting 2. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 3. Prepare Comprehensive Budget for Program with Site Budgets 4. Assess & modify Support Research Plan 5. Assess & modify Economic Assessment Plan 6. Assess & modify Environmental Assessment Plan 7. Assess & Modify Education Component Plan 8. Website Maintenance 9. Video Document Project Progress 10. Monitor Population Assessments 11. Apply Chemical Baits as Needed 12. Locate and Develop High Value Demonstration Sites 4a List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. Fire Ant Control - An Integrated Management Advantage: In Florida, fire ant reduction in the large area (ca. 300ac) has averaged 88% where the IPM approach was used as compared to only
71% where fire ants were controlled only by chemical pesticides. While this is a demonstration project our results point to an advantage for a combination of fire ant bait treatments and the use of parasites and pathogens. This accomplishment is in alignment with National Program 104 - Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology and supports Action Plan Goals: 4.1 Chemical Pesticides and Repellents; 4.2 Biological Control; 4.3 Area-wide Control; and 2.2 Surveillance. 5. Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. The following accomplishments are in alignment with National Program 304 Crop Protection and Quarantine and National Program 104 Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology: 1) Phorid fly parasite rearing is complex, labor intensive, and not likely to be taken on by private industry, so we partnered with our sister agency APHIS to provide funding to transfer our ARS-developed phorid fly rearing technology to the Florida Division of Plant
Industry (DPI), in Gainesville, FL. We also transferred similar technology to University of Texas, Austin; Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge; and the ARS, Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Stoneville, MS. This technology transfer was realized because of ARS/APHIS creative solutions to rearing problems, successful request to release flies in the U.S., and the demonstrated release and establishment of one phorid fly parasite species. Success here resulted in mass rearing of essential phorid fly parasites for release in our Project and other customers and stakeholders; 2) Novel methods were developed for infecting fire ant colonies with the microsporidian pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae. These methods were crucial for facilitating the spread of the disease in fire ant populations in our areawide project. Other researchers have adopted these methods for infecting colonies throughout the introduced fire ant range; 3) Our Core team concluded that a previously tested blend of
existing baits containing hydramethylnon (quick acting toxicant) and methoprene (stops queen egg production, IGR) would provide quicker and longer lasting control of fire ant populations, not attainable using one or the other. Both products are registered for grazed cattle pastures, but the blend required that we secure a special 24c pesticide registration in some States. The successful use of this blend of active ingredients in the areawide project encouraged its ultimate commercial availability (Wellmark International); 4) ARS scientists developed a simple and reliable food lure method for estimating fire ant population densities and establishing an action threshold for treatment. Our cooperators adopted this method, after ARS demonstrated strong correlations between the new method and the previously used mound count and population index methods. The food lure method reduces the time needed to estimate populations by at least 50%, requires no specialized training, and is easily
transferable, enabling our customers to more readily implement fire ant IPM; 5) The educational components objective was to educate stakeholders, e.g. extension specialists, high value property owners, local government, public, about the Areawide program, since this was the first large scale fire ant IPM demonstration. A project website was created and updated continuously with new information. Videos describing the fire ant microsporidian disease and phorid flies were produced and distributed via the website and on CDs (over 1,000 distributed; included in ARS Congressional Budget hearings package). Project brochures were produced and distributed by direct mailing, insertion in trade magazines, and to the public at state agricultural fairs and public presentations (40,000-50,000 distributed). Public interest has been enormous - 44,550 website hits in 2005 and 12,500 hits in the first 3 months of 2006. Part of a video describing the parasitic phorid fly was the subject of an article by
a nationally syndicated columnist. This article caused such a huge influx of requests to the project website. 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? In FY 2006, demonstration sites have been established within cooperating states, and technologies transferred were accepted by areawide customers. In OK, strategic seasonal planning of bait applications has provided long-term control of fire ants in a cemetery and public campground. Texas researchers have developed customized treatment regimes towards fire ants in golf courses and schools. The objectives of these treatment regimes include minimizing ant-human contact, reducing costs, and adopting a proactive approach to fire ant management that reduces labor. 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). Clemson Red Imported Fire Ant Page: http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/page. htm?pageId=1029 Cool Season Fire Ant Management: http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/page. htm?pageId=334 Fire Ant Bait Hints for Success: http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/page. htm?pageId=537 Fire Ant Management for Home Lawns: http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/page. htm?pageId=166 RIFA Treatments in Pastures: http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/page.htm? pageId=1104
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Streett, D.A., Freeland, T.B., Vander Meer, R.K. 2006. Survey of Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: formicidae) Populations in Mississippi. Florida Entomologist. 89(1): 91-92.
- Pereira, R.M., Porter, S.D. 2005. Use of baits for evaluation of fire ant populations in the USDA areawide project. Proceedings in the 2005 Annual Red Imported Fire Ant Conference. 121-122. Gulfport, MS. March 22-24, 2005.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
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? The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is an invasive species inadvertently introduced into the USA and infests over 321 million acres in 12 southeastern states and Puerto Rico. Recently a sustaining population has been found in California, and it has also been reported sporadically in Arizona, New Mexico and Maryland. The fire ant thrives in disturbed habitats where people are likely to be present. The ants potent sting and large populations have created serious medical and agricultural problems. About 40 percent of the human population in infested areas are stung each year. Fire ants damage many crops and create problems for the cattle industry. Economic Analysis conducted under this project shows that the annual economic impact of fire ants in the US economy is approximately 6 billion
dollars, including 1.3 billion dollars in FL, 1.2 billion dollars in TX, 210 million dollars in SC, 164 million dollars in MS, and 18 million dollars in OK. There are only two commercial toxic bait treatments available for fire ant control in pasture. These baits are non-specific, costly and require multiple treatments per year, year after year. The continual treatment / re-invasion process perpetuates the ecological imbalance created by the invading imported fire ant. Fire ant densities in the United States are 5- 10 times those found in their indigenous South America, most likely because in the United States they have escaped from their native natural enemies. To resolve this issue, natural enemies of fire ants, such as parasitic decapitating flies and a microsporidian pathogen are being evaluated to develop self-sustaining, biologically-based integrated pest management strategies for permanent or long term suppression of fire ants in the U.S. The integration of chemical bait
pesticides and biological control agents will be utilized in this program. The ant population will be reduced by the application of chemical bait applications and the biological control agents will serve to prevent reinfestation of the treated area. This project will assess the impact of self-sustaining biological control agents against red imported fire ant populations and demonstrate the use of specific insect parasites, predators, and other tactics used over a broad area (300 acres). Integration of biological and chemical control agents over large areas can keep fire ant populations below the point where they impose a financial burden on farmers and ranchers or cause ecological damage to native wildlife. Kept at low levels, pests are more responsive to biological controls. Five sites have been chosen to represent the diversity of climate conditions where fire ants exist in the U.S. Florida represents a subtropical environment that allows the fire ant to have mating flights
throughout the year. Oklahoma represents the northern extreme of fire ant invasions, where populations may be limited by cold winter temperatures and may be relatively unstable. Texas represents the western extreme of contiguous infestations in the southeast U.S. where a semi-arid climate may favour the impacts of the decapitating flies on fire ant populations. South Carolina represents the eastern extreme of the fire ant range in the U.S. Mississippis sites are established in areas infested with the black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri) and will allow comparison of the same IPM approach on a different species. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. FY-01 1. Appointment of Core Team 2. Organizational Meeting with Core Team 3. Plan of Work for Initial Proposed Sites 4. Site Selection 5. Execution of Specific Cooperative Agreements FY-02 1. Final Site Selection 2. Annual Core Team Meeting 3. Develop Support Research 4. Develop Economic
Assessment 5. Develop Environmental Assessment 6. Develop Education Component 7. Prepare Comprehensive Budget for Program with Site Budgets 8. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 9. Initial Population Assessments 10. Initial Chemical Bait Applications 11. Initial Releases of Biological Control Agents 12. Video Document Project Progress 13. Website Development 14. Monitor Population Assessments 15. Apply chemical baits as needed FY-03 1. Annual Core Team Meeting 2. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 3. Prepare Comprehensive Budget for Program with Site Budgets 4. Assess and modify Support Research Plan 5. Assess and modify Economic Assessment Plan 6. Assess and modify Environmental Assessment Plan 7. Assess and modify Education Component Plan 8. Further releases of Biological Control Agents 9. Fire Ant Population Assessments (Mound Counts, PI Assessments, Baits) 10. Ecological Assessments (Pitfall traps) 11. Decapitating Fly Population Assessment 12. Thelohania
Prevalence Assessment 13. Website Maintenance 14. Video Documentation of Project Progress 15. Monitor Population Assessments 16. Apply chemical baits as needed 17. Augment biological control agents FY-04 1. Annual Core Team Meeting 2. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 3. Prepare comprehensive budget for program with site budgets 4. Assess and modify support research plan 5. Assess and modify economic assessment plan 6. Assess and modify environmental assessment plan 7. Assess and modify education component plan 8. Website Maintenance 9. Video Document Project Progress 10. Monitor population assessments 11. Apply chemical baits as needed 12. Augument biological control agents FY-05 1. Annual Core Team Meeting 2. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 3. Prepare comprehensive budget for program with site budgets 4. Assess and modify support research plan 5. Assess and modify economic assessment plan 6. Assess and modify education component plan 7. Assess and modify
environmental assessment plan 8. Website Maintenance 9. Video document project progress 10. Monitor population assessments 11. Apply chemical baits as needed 12. Locate and develop high value demonstration sites FY 06 1. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting 2. Prepare comprehensive budget for program with site budgets 3. Monitor population assessments 4. Apply chemical baits as needed 5. Locate and develop high value demonstration sites 6. Website Maintenance 7. Assess and modify economic assessment plan 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. Annual Core Team Meeting Milestone Fully Met 2. Annual Core Team + Stakeholder Meeting Milestone Fully Met 3. Prepare comprehensive budget for program with site budgets Milestone Fully Met 4. Assess and modify support research plan Milestone Fully Met 5. Assess and modify economic assessment plan
Milestone Fully Met 6. Assess and modify environmental assessment plan Milestone Fully Met 7. Assess and mofify education component plan Milestone Fully Met 8. Website Maintenance Milestone Fully Met 9. Video Documentation of Project Progress Milestone Fully Met 10. Monitor Population Assessments Milestone Fully Met 11. Apply chemical baits as needed Milestone Fully Met 12. Locate and develop high value demonstration sites 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? Projections were made only considering the first 5 months of FY 06, since this Project is scheduled to terminate at the end of February 2006. The work is expected to continue through a new Project. The following Assessments will continue at the demonstration sites in FL, SC, MS, TX, and OK: Fire Ant Population Assessments; Ecological Assessments
(Pitfall traps); Decapitating Fly Population Assessment; Thelohania Pathogen Assessment. The results of this monitoring should demonstrate the effects on the fire ant population due to the integrated approach to fire ant management used in this areawide demonstration project. Assessments are performed at least twice a year (spring and fall), but fire ant population assessments may also be performed after the application of chemical baits to the demonstration sites. A new surveillance protocol has been agreed upon by the Core Technical Committee and is now being implemented for assessment of fire ant populations in the large areawide demonstration sites. The results of this new protocol will be the basis for the decision to treat or not to treat the demonstration sites. This simplified protocol will facilitate the transfer of the integrated management approach to our customers. Establishment of New Small High Value Areawide Sites: The new surveillance method will save time and allow
the co-operators to establish 2-3 additional small (approximately 20 acres) demonstration sites in high value areas. These high value areas have a greater driving force for continuous fire ant control and will likely continue with the protocols developed after the Areawide Project ends. Sites will be located, established, and the methodology transferred to co- operators/customers for continued implementation. Website Maintenance. The website for the project is constantly updated to include new information on the project. We will include results of a modelling project that uses the fire ant population data and weather parameters from the areawide sites to predict future fire ant populations and the need for reapplications of the chemical bait. A user-friendly interface is planned to allow users to project the need for fire ant control in their own location. In FY06 we anticipate adding information on recommended techniques for estimating fire ant populations in an area, and
controlling these populations with biocontrol agents and chemical insecticides. Annual Core Team and Stakeholder Meetings. The technical core committee for the areawide project meets twice a year to discuss the projects. Usually in the fall, stakeholders are invited to join the meeting and offer their suggestions on future directions on fire ant research, and their views on what has been accomplished so far. Economic Assessment. Data collected from the different sites will be analysed by cooperators at the Texas A&M University who are developing a national model to estimate total impact of the fire ants in the US economy. For FY06 we expect a complete analysis of the cost and benefits of the integrated approach to fire ant control using biological controls and chemical baits. Also, new estimates on the impact of fire ants in the agricultural and general American economy will be available. 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? New Fire Ant Surveillance
Method. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, with scientists from cooperating states analysed data collected over the past 4 years regarding the sampling/surveillance methodology. This revaluation led to the establishment of a new sampling protocol that requires half of the sampling plots previously used, and only processed meat baits as a measure of fire ant populations. Previously, attractive baits and fire ant mound counts/rating were used to estimate the fire ant population. Because the different methods were well correlated, either presence of ants on processed meat baits or the number/rate of mounds can be used to determine when toxic bait applications are needed. The new protocol was discussed and accepted by the Core Technical Committee and is now being implemented. This farmer/user friendly sampling protocol use slices of processed meat as a bait. Baits are left in the field between 30 and 60 minutes and the
number of baits with any number of fire ants is counted. A threshold between 35 and 40% of the baits with fire ants is being used as the trigger for toxic bait applications. 4b List other significant accomplishments, if any. Decapitating flies released and established. Release of decapitating flies is an important element of the project on areawide suppression of fire ants in pastures. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, along with state co-operators continued to release and monitor phorid fly parasites. The decapitating fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis, has been established in 4 states (FL, TX, SC, and MS), and re-released in OK. Also in OK and TX, P. curvatus was released and field-produced flies were observed during Fall 2004. In TX these flies overwintered successfully and a field population has been detected in June 2005. In OK, overwintering and establishment of field populations has not been detected. Another
biotype of Pseudacteon curvatus is well established in TN and MS. Populations in TN occupy most of the fire ant infested area. A new species (P. litoralis) was released again in FL, because overwintering flies were not observed after their release last year. Establishment of a suite of parasitic flies will help to restore the ecological balance found in the ants native South America. Pathogen discovered in hybrid fire ant colony. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, discovered a single Thelohania solenopsae infected hybrid fire ant colony from the demonstration site in MS, which had previously been inoculated with the pathogen. This colony was collected and used to attempt infection of other black and hybrid colonies in the USDA-ARS laboratory in Gainesville; however, none of the inoculated colonies became infected with T. solenopsae. Operation outreach. The educational component is important in the areawide project in
order to increase public awareness of the fire ant impact and knowledge of fire ant control strategies. ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, in along with University of Florida co-operators added new materials to the areawide project website (http://www.ars.usda. gov/fireant/ and http://fireant.ifas.ufl.edu). The videos that were prepared and distributed last year on the Biological Control of Fire Ants CD were incorporated into the web site. The website has also added links to the different state websites dealing with fire ants and updated the list of references including refereed publications describing the project in details and presenting preliminary data. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project has demonstrated the establishment of the biocontrol agents in all 5 collaborating states. Fire ant populations have kept under control in
demonstration sites through the combination of chemical bait applications and biological control agent releases. There are some initial indications that the biological control agents are acting as synergists, enhancing the control given by the chemical baits. The educational materials such as brochures, videos, CD, and website have made the public more aware of the fire ant problem and the self- sustaining solutions available. New biotypes and species of the decapitating flies have been made available as part of the arsenal of biological weapons for control of the imported fire ants. A new methodology for evaluation of fire ant populations in the field has been tested and is being implemented by the researchers involved in the project as well as other researchers working with fire ants. The general public, farmers and ranchers will all benefit from the results and technology transfer of the research implemented in this project. 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? As new knowledge is obtained from the field sites, information is posted in the project website and will be immediately available to the public. A CD with 2 educational videos on the biological control of fire ants has been completed and distributed to cooperating states to be used by educational institutions and agricultural extension agents. The biological control agents continue to expand their range and are a permanent feature of the fire ant management program. They have served as background for training sessions and other outreach activities on fire ant biology and control. The audience in these presentations have included agricultural extension agents, pest control managers, farmers, and the general public.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Vogt, J.T., Streett, D.A., Pereira, R.M., Callcott, A.A. 2003. Mississippi Areawide Fire Ant Suppresion Program: Unique Aspects of Working with Black and Hybrid Imported Fire Ants. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. 20(3):105-111.
- Pereira, R.M. 2003. Areawide suppression of fire ant populations in pastures: project update. Annual Red Imported Fire Ant Conference. p. 57.
- Vander Meer, R.K., Porter, S.D., Oi, D.H., Valles, S.M., Pereira, R.M. 2005. Area-wide Suppression of Invasive Fire Ant Populations. Area Wide Control of Insect Pests Integrating the Sterile Insect. Abstract. p. 78-79
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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 million acres of pasture in twelve southern states from Texas to Virginia. Fire ants have also become established in limited areas in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Because of their tremendous populations and painful sting, fire ants are agricultural, rural and urban pests. Costs for damage, control measures, and medical treatments are estimated at approximately $6 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. To resolve this issue, natural
enemies of fire ants, such as parasitic decapitating flies and a microsporidian pathogen are being evaluated to develop self- sustaining, biologically-based integrated pest management strategies for permanent or long term suppression of fire ants in the U.S. The integration of chemical bait pesticides and biological control agents will be utilized in this program. The ant population will be reduced by the application of chemical bait applications and the biological control agents will serve to prevent reinfestation of the treated area. This project will assess the impact of self-sustaining biological control agents against red imported fire ant populations and demonstrate the use of specific insect parasites, predators, and other tactics used over a broad area (300 acres). Integration of biological and chemical control agents over large areas can keep fire ant populations below the point where they impose a financial burden on farmers and ranchers or cause ecological damage to
native wildlife. Kept at low levels, pests are more responsive to biological controls. Five sites have been chosen to represent the diversity of climate conditions where fire ants exist in the U.S. Florida represents a subtropical environment that allows the fire ant to have mating flights throughout the year. Oklahoma represents the northern extreme of fire ant invasions, where populations may be limited by cold winter temperatures and may be relatively unstable. Texas represents the western extreme of contiguous infestations in the southeast U.S. where a semi-arid climate may favor the impacts of the decapitating flies on fire ant populations. South Carolina represents the eastern extreme of the fire ant range in the U.S. Mississippi's sites are established in areas infested with the black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri) and will allow comparison of the same IPM approach on a different species. The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is an invasive species
inadvertently introduced into the USA and infests over 321 million acres in 12 southeastern states and Puerto Rico. Recently a sustaining population has been found in California, and it has also been reported sporadically in Arizona, New Mexico and Maryland. The fire ant thrives in disturbed habitats where people are likely to be present. The ant's potent sting and large populations have created serious medical and agricultural problems. About 40 percent of the human population in infested areas are stung each year. Fire ants damage many crops and create problems for the cattle industry. Economic Analysis conducted under this project shows that the annual economic impact of fire ants in the US economy is approximately 6 billion dollars, including 1.3 billion dollars in FL, 1.2 billion dollars in TX, 210 million dollars in SC, 164 million dollars in MS, and 18 million dollars in OK. There are only two commercial toxic bait treatments available for fire ant control in pastures. These
baits are non-specific, costly and require multiple treatments per year, year after year. The continual treatment / re-invasion process perpetuates the ecological balance originally upset by the invading imported fire ant. Fire ant densities in the United States are about five times those found in their indigenous South America, most likely because in the United States they have escaped from their native natural enemies. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Phase I - Planning Appointment of Core Team Organizational Meeting with Core Team Plan of Work for Initial Proposed Sites Final Site Selection Plan of Work for Support Research Plan of Work for Economic Assessment Plan of Work for Environmental Assessment Plan of Work for Education Component Comprehensive Budget for Program with Site Budgets Signing of Specific Cooperative Agreement Phase II - Program Implementation Training of Personnel (in Gainesville, FL) Initial Population Assessments Initial
Chemical Bait Applications Initial Releases of Biological Control Agents Further Releases of Biological Control Agents Fire Ant Population Assessments (Mound Counts, PI Assessments, Baits) Ecological Assessments (Pitfall traps) Decapitating Fly Population Assessment Thelohania Prevalence Assessment Development of Fire Ant Specific Baits Development of Decapitating Fly Detection Trap Website Development Website Maintenance Stakeholder Meetings Video Documentation of Project Progress Economic Assessment Annual Core Team Meeting 3. Milestones: A. List of milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY04 Fire Ant Population Assessments (Mound Counts, PI Assessments, Baits) Ecological Assessments (Pitfall traps) Decapitating Fly Population Assessment Thelohania Prevalence Assessment Development of Fire Ant Specific Baits Development of Decapitating Fly Detection Trap Website Maintenance Stakeholder Meetings Video Documentation of Project Progress Economic Assessment Annual Core Team
Meeting With exception of two milestones above all others were fully met for what was planned for the year. The development of a decapitating fly trap will be dropped from the list of milestones because it's development is no longer deemed necessary for monitoring fly populations especially after development of the modified cattle prod in Texas for attracting the flies CRIS 0500-00044-009-00D. The development of fire ant specific baits is part of the research component of this areawide project but not essential to its success, nevertheless work continues on this milestone. B. List of Milestones to be addressed in the next 3 years (FY05, 06, 07) Fire Ant Population Assessments (Mound Counts, PI Assessments, Baits) Ecological Assessments (Pitfall traps) Decapitating Fly Population Assessment Thelohania Prevalence Assessment The assessment of the fire ant populations, decapitating flies, T. solenopsae and other arthropods at the demonstration sites in FL, SC, MS, TX, and OK will
continue for the next 3 years pending an extension of the project. This monitoring should demonstrate any effects on the fire ant population due to the integrated approach to fire ant management that is used in this areawide demonstration project. Assessments are performed at least twice a year (spring and fall), but fire ant population assessments may also be performed after the application of chemical baits at the demonstration sites. Website Maintenance The website for the project is constantly updated to include new information on the project. A user-friendly interface is planned to allow users to project the need for fire ant control in their own location. In FY05 we should add information to the website on a predicting model the user can use in determining the need for bait applications based on climatic conditions. In FY06 and FY07 we anticipate adding information on recommended techniques for estimating fire ant populations in an area, and controlling these populations with
biocontrols and chemical insecticides. Annual Core Team Meeting Stakeholder Meetings The technical core committee for the areawide project meets twice a year to discuss the project's progress. During one of these meetings in the fall, stakeholders are invited to join the meeting and offer their suggestions on future directions on fire ant research, and their views on what has been accomplished so far. These meeting will continue to occur every year as long as the project is active. In FY05-07 the Technical Core Team will meet in Feb-Mar during the Imported Fire Conference, and in Sep-Oct for a meeting that will include stakeholders. Economic Assessment Data collected from the different sites are analysed by cooperators at Texas A&M University who are developing a national model to estimate total impact of the fire ants in the US economy. In FY05 we expect to have a complete analysis of the impact of the fire ants in the US economy, including data for each of the states where fire
ants are established. For FY06-07 we expect a complete analysis of the cost and benefits of the integrated approach to fire ant control using biological controls and chemical baits. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment during FY 2003: Better Control of Fire Ants at IPM Site. USDA-ARS scientists found that, over the last two years, the average control of fire ant nests in the IPM site with biological and chemical treatments was 88%, while only 71% was obtained at the sites with chemical treatments alone. This is important because it is the first time an advantage has been observed for the integrated approach (biologicals + chemical baits) over the use of baits alone in controlling fire ants at the Areawide sites. These tests were conducted at an IPM treatment site southwest of Gainesville, FL and a standard site west of Tallahassee, FL. Integration of successful biological controls into a fire ant management
program will allow reduction in use of chemicals, and increased efficacy of control. B. Other Significant Accomplishment(s), if any: Establishment of Decapitating Flies at Areawide Sites. USDA-ARS scientists and other state cooperators (TX, OK, MS, and SC) appear to have established either one or two species of decapitating flies (P. tricuspis or P. curvatus) at all five Areawide demonstration sites. Release of decapitating flies is an important element of the Areawide project. Two species of flies are established at two sites (FL, SC), one species is established at two sites with a second species recently released at both sites (TX, MS), and one site appears to have at least one species established from two recent releases this Spring (OK). A third species of fly (P. litoralis) is currently being released at the site in Florida. These results are important because they show that decapitating flies can be established across a broad climatic range and they set the groundwork for
studying the impacts of multiple species of flies on fire ant populations. New Educational Items. USDA and University of Florida personnel added new materials to the areawide project website which now operates in 2 mirror sites (http://www.ars.usda.gov/fireant/ and http://fireant.ifas. ufl.edu ) to provide faster and more reliable service. Also a CD on the biological control of fire ants has been completed containing an introductory video summarizing the biocontrol alternatives and providing access to 2 long educational videos, one on the fire ant disease caused by Thelohania solenopsae, and the other on the fire ant parasitic decapitating flies. . The educational component is important in the areawide project in order to increase public awareness of the fire ant impact and knowledge of fire ant control strategies. C. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations: None D. Progress Report: All sites in the Areawide project continue to be treated with applications
of fire ant baits whenever the pre-established threshold of fire ant population (20 mounds / acre) is reached. The pathogen T. solenopsae is established at all sites except Mississippi. Mississippi received a new release of Thelohania solenopsae in May 2004, but it is still too early to check for establishment. One or two decapitating flies are established at four and probably five of the areawide sites. New decapitating fly releases were done in Oklahoma, including both P. tricuspis and P. curvatus. Second or third generation field flies have been recovered from both species. A new decapitating fly species, P. litoralis, has been released in the Florida demonstration site. Data from the Florida site suggest a possible advantage of the integrated approach using biocontrols and chemical baits over the use of chemical baits alone in the control of fire ants. In areas with the biological controls, there is a greater control of fire ant populations with the application of the
chemical baits. Besides fewer fire ant mounds, the biocontrol areas also have smaller nests. Results from the Texas site demonstrated a decrease in the fire ant population in areas with more abundant decapitating fly population. In Oklahoma, cooperators demonstrated a higher prevalence of the fire ant disease caused by T. solenopsae in the fall when compared with the prevalence in the spring. Ecological evaluation continued in all sites with collection and processing of information on the arthropod population, with especial attention to the ant fauna in the demonstration sites. These data have not been analysed except for the Florida sites, where no detrimental to non-target species has been detected. The economic analysis of the fire ant damage and control costs have been used to estimate the annual impact of fire ants at 1.3 billion dollars in Florida, 1.2 billion dollars in Texas, 210 million dollars in SC, 164 million dollars in Misssissippi, and 18 million dollars in
Oklahoma, and approximately 6 billion dollars annually for the US economy. A website is working from two mirror sites at http://www.ars.usda. gov/fireant/ and http://fireant.ifas.ufl.edu/ to better serve users by providing fast and reliable access. A CD on the biological control of fire ants has been completed. This CD contains an introductory video summarizing the biocontrol alternatives and gives access to 2 long educational videos, one on the fire ant disease caused by Thelohania solenopsae, and the other on the fire ant parasitic decapitating flies. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project has demonstrated the establishment of the biocontrol agents in all 5 collaborating states. Fire ant populations have been kept under control in demonstration sites through the combination of chemical bait applications and biocontrol agent releases. There are some initial indications that the biological control
agents are acting as synergists, enhancing the control given by the chemical baits. The educational materials such as brochures, videos, CD, and website have made the public more aware of the fire ant problem and the self-sustaining solutions available. New biotypes and species of the decapitating flies have been made available as part of the arsenal of biological weapons for control of the imported fire ants. 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? As new knowledge is obtained from the field sites, information is posted in the project website and will be immediately available to the public. A CD with 2 educational videos on the biological control of fire ants has been completed and distributed to cooperating states to be used by educational
institutions and agricultural extension agents. The biocontrol agents continue to expand their range and are a permanent feature of the fire ant management program. They have served as background for training sections and other outreach activities on fire ant biology and control. The audience in these presentations have included agricultural extension agents, pest control managers, farmers, and the general public.
Impacts
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