Progress 12/07/01 to 12/07/06
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to maintain low fire ant populations in South Carolina with reduced need for bait toxicants by using available self-sustaining fire ant biological control agents in conjunction with bait toxicants. Approach (from AD-416) 1. Assess and monitor fire ant populations and the benefits of fire ant control in the selected field sites in South Carolina; 2. Inoculate the microsporidian pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae, and monitor the success of the introduced microsporidian pathogen in the South Carolina sites; 3. Release the phorid fly parasites, and monitor the success of the introduced parasites in the South Carolina sites; 4. Provide necessary information and/or facilitate access of personnel designated by ARS to field sites and information to be used in the educational and technology transfer activities related to the areawide suppression of fire ants using toxic baits and biological control agents; and 5. Establish 3 small demonstration sites in "high value" properties within areas with fire ant biocontrol agents, monitor fire ant populations using hotdog bait methodology at 6-8 week intervals, make formicide application when necessary, and provide a semi-annual written report to USDA project coordinating team. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report documents activities under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the Clemson University, which manages the 2 large field demonstration sites and high value demonstration sites in South Carolina under the parent project CRIS 0500-00044-017-00D, Areawide Suppression of Fire Ants in Pastures. This SCA reached its termination date 12/07/2006. A new SCA was put in place to follow the one ending (accession #0411435). No significant progress was made in the short time between the 2006 Progress Report and the Term end of this SCA. Activities were monitored through semi-annual meetings, e-mail correspondence, and telephone communication.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report documents activities under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the Clemson University, which manages the 2 large field demonstration sites and high value demonstration sites in South Carolina under the terminated parent project #0500-00044-009-00D and new project #0500-00044-017-00D, Areawide Suppression of Fire Ants in Pastures. Population sampling conducted in spring of 2005 at the Wright Ranch and Matthews Ranch showed fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) activity levels above threshold, therefore treatments will be recommended. Data from pitfall traps and Thelohania samples were collected in spring 2006 and will be processed by July, 2006. Areawide demonstration sites were established at Boonehall Plantation, Wild Wing Golf Course, and Longland Plantation. The S. invicta biotype of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon tricuspis was released at Boonehall Plantation and Longland Plantation in October, 2005. P.
tricuspis was found in low abundance at Longland Plantation. The second biotype of decapitating fly P. curvatus was released at Wild Wing Golf Course and a separate site 20 miles from Boonehall Plantation in October, 2005. Pseudacteon curvatus was present in low abundance at Wild Wing. It successfully overwintered and spread approximately 1 mile from its release near Boonehall Plantation. In addition, P. curvatus was established in the large IPM site and continued to spread approximately 7 miles from its initial release site.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
4d Progress report. This report documents activities under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the Clemson University, which manages 2 field demonstration sites in South Carolina for project CRIS 0500-00044-009-00D - Areawide Suppression of Fire Ants in Pastures. Neither the control (Wright Ranch) nor the biological control/chemical bait site (Matthews Ranch) needed any treatment with baits since May 2004, and at last sampling fire ant populations were still below the treatment threshold. Fire ant populations in the site with biocontrol agents have been lower than expected even in the area not treated with baits. The S. invicta biotype of decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus was established in the IPM site and has spread at least one mile out from the release site. New small areawide demonstration sites are planned for Myrtle Beach and Charleston where decapitating flies have also been released and are established. The new protocol for evaluation of
fire ant populations has been implemented with satisfactory results and a much quicker sampling.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? This report documents activities under a specific cooperativebetween ARS and the Clemson University, which manages the 2 field demonstration sites in South Carolina for the project CRIS 0500-00044-009-00 D - Areawide Suppression of Fire Ants in Pastures. Both the control (Wright Ranch) and the biological control/chemical bait site (Matthews Ranch) were treated in the fall 2002 and a new chemical bait application was conducted at the treatment site in the spring 2003. The protozoan Thelohania solenopsae, a fire ant disease, is established in SC demonstration sites, but flies released in the fall 2002 and observed in the field before winter 2002/2003 were not observed again in the spring 2003. New fly releases were done, using both Pseudacteon tricuspis and P. curvatus (S. invicta biotype).
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
|