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The European Red Ant, Myrmica Rubra: a Comparison of Pestiferous And

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The European Red Ant, Myrmica Rubra: a Comparison of Pestiferous And RIPM 2006 Groden Proposal PROJECT DESCRIPTION Problem, Background and Justification Ants in the Urban/Suburban Landscape: Ants as structural pests have received considerable attention in pest management programs, and are a primary target of many professional pest control operators. However, ants in the exterior urban/suburban landscape can cause considerable problems associated with: a) nuisance and health problems of stinging species, 2) exacerbation of plant pests by homopteran- tending species, and 3) contributions to interior nuisance and structural problems from outside nesting invaders. A survey of ant species and their pest context encountered by professional pest control operators in Florida (Klotz et al. 1995), revealed that three major species causing problems within structures were commonly found outside as well, and control of outside populations of indoor ants pests has now been recognized as an important component of their pest management around homes (Haack 1991, Oi et al. 1994, Hahn et al. 2001). Problems associated with pestiferous ants in the landscape are frequently encountered by homeowners, building managers, park and open space managers, school officials, and business owners. A survey conducted of insect pest problems and subsequent pesticide use in Maine Public Schools (Murray 2000) reflects the frequency of ant-related problems relative to other pests. Ant were the most commonly identified pest of concern inside school structures (identified by 59% of respondents) and the third most commonly identified concern for outdoor areas (36% of respondents compared with 54% for general stinging insects (which can include ants), and 54% for weeds). Fifty-two percent of respondents in this survey reported taking action against interior ant pest problems sometime in the previous three years and 25% had taken action against exterior ant problems. The most common action taken was the use of baited insecticides for ants. Although ants are such a commonly encountered problem in the urban/suburban landscape, there is currently little region-specific information on local pest species and their management for homeowners and other community-based users in the Northeast region. At the Community and Urban IPM Conference in Manchester, NH in March 2005, the need to “develop IPM outreach to homeowners, retailers of pest management products, and multipliers (media, libraries, teachers)” was ranked as the highest priority by attendees (http://northeastipm.org/priority/2005_urban _conf.htm), and at their June 2005 meeting, the Community IPM Working Group identified “IPM in residential settings” as the most important focus for their group (http://northeastipm.org/work_commpriority2005.cfm). Specific goals of the group include: 1. Develop a PSMP for residential IPM particularly for suburban outdoor IPM and indoor urban IPM. 2. Outreach: Develop and create an outreach campaign for residential IPM (radio, TV, and other creative forums). Develop material and distribute to end-users. Measure success of project. 3. Research: General research on residential IPM. Web-based resources are available for identification of pestiferous ant species encountered in other regions of the country (e.g. Ohio: ohioline.osu.edu/hyg- fact/2000/2064.html). However, it is important for extension agents, business owners (including PCO’S), and residents in the northeast to have access to a simpler format that is limited only to the species that are of concern in the region. Therefore, a focus of this proposal is to develop 1 RIPM 2006 Groden Proposal region-specific information on the identification, biology, damage/nuisance potential and management of pestiferous ants in the urban/suburban landscape. This will address the objectives 2 and 3 identified above by the Community IPM Working Group. In addition, our user-friendly materials for local ant identification and management will reduce the unnecessary use of insecticides by homeowners that frequently react to any ants in the landscape whether or not they are pestiferous. Our recommendations will emphasize non-insecticidal approaches where possible. European fire ants: In addition to species previously known to cause problems for homeowners in the northeast region, (the odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile, the little black ant, Monomorium minimum, the cornfield ant, Lasius alienus, the Allegany mound ant, Formica exsectoides, and the carpenter ant, Campanotus pennsylvanicus) the past ten years have seen increasing problems with the invasive ant, Myrmica rubra, referred to locally as the European fire ant. This aggressive, stinging ant has become established in many communities along the coast of Maine and New Hampshire, several locations in Massachusetts, and at least one infestation has been confirmed in both New York state and Vermont (Groden et al. 2005). Although we are not certain when this invasive ant was first introduced into these areas, it is clear that the population densities of M. rubra have increased considerably over the past decade, as have the number of areas in which they infest1 (Figures 1&2). M. rubra populations have colonized disturbed and natural areas around residences, schools, parks, and commercial and municipal buildings where their nest densities in heavily infested areas have averaged 1.4 nests/m2 (maximum densities ranging from 2-5 nests/m2) with 300-10,000 foragers per nest (Groden et al. 2005). These ants aggressively defend their territory and readily sting humans, pets and livestock that have the misfortune to move slowly or rest within the large areas where they forage. Numerous homeowners have reported to us that they are unable to use their yards and gardens because of repeated stings by M. rubra. Many homeowners, businesses, public park officials and resource managers are relying on insecticide treatments for curbing this pest. The efficacy of these treatments is uncertain, and resurgence of local populations suggests that this strategy provides only short-term control. We also have evidence that the invasive populations of M. rubra are negatively impacting native species in infested areas, particularly native ants that are completely eliminated in most M. rubra infestation sites (Garnas 2005). 1 We logged over 100 contacts from home and business owners in coastal towns of Maine between 2002 and 2003 regarding problems with M. rubra infestations, and the vast majority were problems that had developed since 1993-4. In addition, in 2004 we surveyed an infestation in Wayne, ME, that resulted from the transfer of the ants (possibly a single colony) in a potted shrub. After 10 years this has spread from the single shrub to an area ca. 100 x 112 m2. 2 RIPM 2006 Groden Proposal Figure 1. Current and historic locations of M. rubra Figure 2. Current pestiferous M. rubra populations populations in North America. in Maine. M. rubra populations in Maine may be exhibiting the typical pattern characteristic of many invasive, exotic species: a prolonged period of adaptation with moderate population increase after establishment, followed by an exponential increase in density and an increase in the rate of geographic spread (Shigesada and Kawasaki. 1997). Populations have spread from 2 locations in Maine in the 1950s to 28 confirmed locations along Maine’s entire coast as of 2004 (Groden et al. 2005) and additional sites in other states and Canada. Whatever the cause of the current increase in the rate of spread of this pest, given that its native range spans from the United Kingdom in Western Europe to central Asia and from Scandinavia to the Black Sea (Collingwood 1958, Seifert 1988), it is unlikely that climatic factors alone will limit the spread of these populations in the northeastern U.S. It is critical to address this issue BEFORE it becomes a more widespread problem. The biology of M. rubra and its pattern of infestation suggests that their primary means of spread is via colony budding which results in expansion from infested areas into contiguous areas, or via human transport of nests in infested materials (soil, decaying logs, etc.; Groden et al. 2005). Although nuptial flights have been reported in M. rubra populations (Boomsma and Leusink 1981, Woyciechowski 1987), evidence suggests that new queens produced by this polygynous ant (multiple queens per colony) reenter their nest of origin and subsequent groups of queens, workers and brood move out a few meters from the main nest to establish new colonies (Seppa and Pamilo 1995, Walin et al. 2001). We have found several infestations in which spread within the same habitat appeared to be limited by a natural (river or channel) or man-made barrier (road). This would suggest that dispersal and establishment of new colonies via flight of queens does not occur or is very limited. We do, however, have evidence for spread of these fire ants by human activity, particularly with movement of potted plants. A student working in Groden’s laboratory brought in ants that were stinging employees when they encountered them in container plants being repotted at a wholesale greenhouse facility in southern Maine. They proved to be M. rubra. As described above, we have also confirmed that the first inland infestation in Maine became established from the planting of shrubs purchased from an infested nursery. In August 2005, Groden and Drummond filmed a colony in an infested nursery as it moved its nest from an adjacent stonewall into a potted rhododendron that was for sale. It is likely that infested container plants brought to the NE from Europe are responsible for some of the original infestations, and subsequent movement of plants, soil, mulch, and fill have spread M. rubra to 3 RIPM 2006 Groden Proposal new areas. For this reason, educating people about this invasive pest is the most important step to take to limit its further spread. Drs. Groden and Drummond have been conducting research on the ecology and management of M. rubra in Acadia National Park over the past three years. Our studies have included investigations of the temporal and spatial dynamics of colonies in infested areas, key habitat characteristics required by M.
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