Meeting Minutes/Final Report (May 8-10, 2018) (PDF)
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Medical Problems and Treatment Considerations for the Red Imported Fire Ant
MEDICAL PROBLEMS AND TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT Bastiaan M. Drees, Professor and Extension Entomologist DISCLAIMER: This fact sheet provides a review of information gathered regarding medical aspects of the red imported fire ant. As such, this fact sheet is not intended to provide treatment recommendations for fire ant stings or reactions that may develop as a result of a stinging incident. Readers are encouraged to seek health-related advice and recommendations from their medical doctors, allergists or other appropriate specialists. Imported fire ants, which include the red imported fire ant - Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), the black imported fire ant - Solenopsis richteri Forel and the hybrid between S. invicta and S. richteri, cause medical problems when sterile female worker ants from a colony sting and inject a venom that cause localized sterile blisters, whole body allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock and occasionally death. In Texas, S. invicta is the only imported fire ant, although several species of native fire ants occur in the state such as the tropical fire ant, S. geminata (Fabricius), and the desert fire ant, S. xyloni McCook, which are also capable of stinging (see FAPFS010 and 013 for identification keys). Over 40 million people live in areas infested by the red imported fire ant in the southeastern United States. An estimated 14 million people are stung annually. According to The Scripps Howard Texas Poll (March 2000), 79 percent of Texans have been stung by fire ants in the year of the survey, while 20% of Texans report not ever having been stung. -
Imported Fire Ants [Solenopsis Invicta (Buren) and Solenopsis Richteri (Forel)] Ann M.M
Published by Utah State University Extension and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory ENT-214-20-PR March 2020 Imported Fire Ants [Solenopsis invicta (Buren) and Solenopsis richteri (Forel)] Ann M.M. Mull, Extension Assistant; Lori R. Spears, CAPS Coordinator; and Ryan Davis, Arthropod Diagnostician Quick Facts • Imported fire ants (IFA) represent two South American species: red imported fire ant and black imported fire ant. • IFA occur in the southeastern U.S. and in parts of California and other western states. They are NOT known to occur in Utah, but parts of southwestern Utah are suitable for IFA establishment. • IFA can cause agricultural, ecological, economical, nuisance, and public health problems. • When a nest is disturbed, IFA will exit the mound in large numbers to bite and sting repeatedly, injecting painful Figure 1. Red imported fire ant (IFA) workers swarming a boot. venom with each sting. • Stings can cause persistent “fire-like” pain and blistering pustules--which when broken can result in secondary infections and scarring--and allergic reactions, including rare instances of seizures and anaphylactic shock. • Although IFA can spread naturally by flying short distances, long-distance spread is caused primarily by the movement of infested materials, such as baled hay and straw, nursery stock, grass sod, soil, honeybee hives, and vehicles and equipment. Figure 2. A red IFA worker. Figure 3. Pustules on arm resulting from IFA stings. • Five native Solenopsis ant species occur in Utah, but they are not known to be aggressive and their colonies are late 1930s (red IFA). Although IFA can spread naturally by flying small and inconspicuous. -
Predicting the Global Distribution of Solenopsis Geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Under Climate Change Using the Maxent Model
insects Article Predicting the Global Distribution of Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) under Climate Change Using the MaxEnt Model Cheol Min Lee 1,†, Dae-Seong Lee 2,†, Tae-Sung Kwon 3, Mohammad Athar 1 and Young-Seuk Park 2,* 1 California Department of Food and Agriculture, 2800 Gateway Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833, USA; [email protected] (C.M.L.); [email protected] (M.A.) 2 Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun, Seoul 02447, Korea; [email protected] 3 Alpha Insect Diversity Lab., Nowon, Seoul 01746, Korea; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] † These authors contributed equally to this work. Simple Summary: Climate change influences the distribution of species. The tropical fire ant Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a serious invasive species that damages the native ecosystem. In this study, we evaluated the current and future distribution of S. geminata under climate change using the ecological niche model. The model results showed that the favorable habitat area of S. geminata will expand to higher latitudes on a global scale due to future global warming. Some countries located in America and East Asia, such as Brazil, China, South Korea, the USA, and Uruguay, can be threatened by S. geminata due to climate change. Abstract: The tropical fire ant Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a serious invasive species that causes a decline in agricultural production, damages infrastructure, and harms human health. This study was aimed to develop a model using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm Citation: Lee, C.M.; Lee, D.-S.; Kwon, to predict the current and future distribution of S. -
Red Imported Fire Ant
RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals Although the red imported fire ant fire ant, for instance, are usually irreg- two nodes (Solenopsis invicta) is common in 12 ular and consist of scattered soil with southern states, it is new to California multiple obscure entrances. Unlike and has recently been found infesting the other ant species mentioned, red numerous residential and commercial imported fire ants tend to build nests areas in Orange, Los Angeles, River- stinger in open, sunlit, grassy areas that are mandible side, San Bernardino, and to a lesser ten-segmented typically irrigated. They will readily antenna extent, San Diego counties. The spread of these ants has largely been a result run up any object that touches their mound, whereas the other species Figure 1. Adult red imported fire ant of the movement of infested soil to worker. uninfested areas. are much less aggressive. Because red imported fire ants often build their LIFE CYCLE IDENTIFICATION nests in turfgrass areas in California, The fire ant life cycle, like that of other Red imported fire ant workers (Fig. 1) frequently the mounds have been social Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and 1 1 are variable in size ( ⁄16 to ⁄ 5 inch long) mowed and are nearly flat, appearing wasps), consists of four main stages: and dark reddish brown. Unlike our as soft, loose dirt that obscures the egg, larva, pupa, and adult (Fig. 3). The native southern fire ant (Solenopsis grass and looks like a bald spot in the egg, larval, and pupal stages occur xyloni) and harvester ant (Pogonomyr- turf. -
The Maryland Entomologist
THE MARYLAND ENTOMOLOGIST Insect and related-arthropod studies in the Mid-Atlantic region Volume 6, Number 2 September 2014 September 2014 The Maryland Entomologist Volume 6, Number 2 MARYLAND ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY www.mdentsoc.org Executive Committee: Co-Presidents Timothy Foard and Frederick Paras Vice President Philip J. Kean Secretary Richard H. Smith, Jr. Treasurer Edgar A. Cohen, Jr. Historian (vacant) Publications Editor Eugene J. Scarpulla The Maryland Entomological Society (MES) was founded in November 1971, to promote the science of entomology in all its sub-disciplines; to provide a common meeting venue for professional and amateur entomologists residing in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and nearby areas; to issue a periodical and other publications dealing with entomology; and to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information through its meetings and publications. The MES was incorporated in April 1982 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, scientific organization. The MES logo features an illustration of Euphydryas phaëton (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), the Baltimore Checkerspot, with its generic name above and its specific epithet below (both in capital letters), all on a pale green field; all these are within a yellow ring double-bordered by red, bearing the message “● Maryland Entomological Society ● 1971 ●”. All of this is positioned above the Shield of the State of Maryland. In 1973, the Baltimore Checkerspot was named the official insect of the State of Maryland through the efforts of many MES members. Membership in the MES is open to all persons interested in the study of entomology. All members receive the annual journal, The Maryland Entomologist, and the monthly e-newsletter, Phaëton. -
Developing a List of Invasive Alien Species Likely to Threaten Biodiversity and Ecosystems in the European Union
Received: 25 July 2018 | Accepted: 7 November 2018 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14527 PRIMARY RESEARCH ARTICLE Developing a list of invasive alien species likely to threaten biodiversity and ecosystems in the European Union Helen E. Roy1 | Sven Bacher2 | Franz Essl3,4 | Tim Adriaens5 | David C. Aldridge6 | John D. D. Bishop7 | Tim M. Blackburn8,9 | Etienne Branquart10 | Juliet Brodie11 | Carles Carboneras12 | Elizabeth J. Cottier-Cook13 | Gordon H. Copp14,15 | Hannah J. Dean1 | Jørgen Eilenberg16 | Belinda Gallardo17 | Mariana Garcia18 | Emili García‐Berthou19 | Piero Genovesi20 | Philip E. Hulme21 | Marc Kenis22 | Francis Kerckhof23 | Marianne Kettunen24 | Dan Minchin25 | Wolfgang Nentwig26 | Ana Nieto18 | Jan Pergl27 | Oliver L. Pescott1 | Jodey M. Peyton1 | Cristina Preda28 | Alain Roques29 | Steph L. Rorke1 | Riccardo Scalera18 | Stefan Schindler3 | Karsten Schönrogge1 | Jack Sewell7 | Wojciech Solarz30 | Alan J. A. Stewart31 | Elena Tricarico32 | Sonia Vanderhoeven33 | Gerard van der Velde34,35,36 | Montserrat Vilà37 | Christine A. Wood7 | Argyro Zenetos38 | Wolfgang Rabitsch3 1Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, UK 2University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland 3Environment Agency Austria, Vienna, Austria 4Division of Conservation Biology, Vegetation Ecology and Landscape Ecology, University Vienna, Vienna, Austria 5Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Brussels, Belgium 6Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK 7The Laboratory, The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK 8University College London, -
Texas Fire Ant Identification: an Illustrated Key
Texas Fire Ant Identification: An Illustrated Key Jerry L. Cook, Stephen F. Austin University, Sean T. O’Keefe, , and S. Bradleigh Vinson, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX Texas has more than 260 species of ants, only a few of which are household or garden pests (see FAPFS010 for identification of non-fire ant pest ants). Many native ants, including native fire ant species and some harmless introduced ant species, are potential or known competitors of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Fire ant mounds or nests differ from many native/competitor ant species because they have no central openings. Worker fire ants leave the colony using underground tunnels that open to the surface away from the mound. There are six known species of fire ants (Solenopsis species of the geminata group) in the United States, five of which are found in Texas. Of these, four are native species and the fifth is the accidentally introduced red imported fire ant. Another imported species, the black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri) does not live in Texas. Although the four native species are called fire ants, they are much less aggressive and numerous than the imported species. The first question is whether you have fire ants. If the ants are aggressive, at least 3 mm long, and rapidly run up any object placed into their nest, they are probably fire ants. If they try to bite and sting the object, then it is a good bet they are fire ants. To confirm, look at the region between the epinotum and gaster (see figure below), and if two nodes (petiole and postpetiole) are present and the antennal club is two-segmented, then they are fire ants. -
JAMES PURSER PITTS a Cladistic Analysis of the Solenopsis Saevissima Species-Group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (Under the Directio
JAMES PURSER PITTS A cladistic analysis of the Solenopsis saevissima species-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (Under the direction of JOSEPH VINCENT MCHUGH and KENNETH GEORGE ROSS) The cosmopolitan genus Solenopsis Westwood 1840 contains 185 species of ants. Probably the best known species of Solenopsis are the fire ants. Several of the fire ants, including S. invicta Buren, the red imported fire ant, belong to the S. saevissima species- group, a primarily Neotropical assemblage formerly called the S. saevissima complex of the S. geminata species-group. In this study, the S. saevissima species-group is characterized, its males, queens, and larvae are described, its workers are diagnosed, a key to the group is provided, and the distributions of the species are summarized. Solenopsis altipunctata sp. nov., discovered in the Serra Geral mountains in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, is described as new. A cladistic analysis of the S. saevissima species-group, including the social parasite S. daguerrei Santschi, yields the following results based on characters from workers, males, queens, and larvae: (daguerrei + ((electra + pusillignis)+(saevissima +(pythia +((altipunctata sp. nov. + weyrauchi)+ (interrupta +(richteri +(invicta +(megergates +(quinquecuspis + macdonaghi)))))))))). It is hypothesized that the social parasite S. daguerrei occupies a basal position in this species-group and is the sister group to all other species. It is not closely related to its hosts. As such, the results do not support “Emery’s Rule,” which claims that social parasites evolve directly from their hosts in Hymenoptera. A review of literature shows that all the modern cladistic analyses that have tested “Emery’s Rule” failed to support it. -
Oregon Insect Pest Alert: Red Imported Fire Ants
Oregon Insect Pest Alert Red Imported Fire Ant Imported fire ants (IFA) have been an agricultural and health problem in the US for at least 80 years. These ants have a potent venomous sting causing intense pain, characteristic white pustules, and rarely even shock or death. They also attack livestock, pets, and wildlife and displace native ants. They directly damage crops and trees, and their mounds interfere with or damage agricultural equipment. IFA frequently infest electrical equipment, causing short circuits, fires, and other damage. Establishment of fire ants in Oregon would cause major agricultural, ecological, economic, and health consequences. Formerly only infesting the southeastern states, IFA are established in southern California and New Mexico. The threat of an Oregon infestation is greater than ever before. How Did IFA Reach the United States and Where Has IFA Spread? IFA are native to South America. First hitchhiking to the U.S. on ships docked at Mobile, Alabama as early as 1918, the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri, established in Alabama and has since spread to Mississippi and Tennessee. The red imported fire ant, S. invicta, was likely introduced around 1930 by ship in soil used as ballast or as dunnage. RIFA has since spread to all or parts of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Red imported fire ants Red imported fire ant mound Arm after receiving stings. How does IFA Spread within the United States? RIFA colonies can migrate up to several hundred feet, requiring as little as a single queen and a few workers to start anew. -
Applied Ecology and Control of Imported Fire Ants and Argentine
APPLIED ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF IMPORTED FIRE ANTS AND ARGENTINE ANTS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) by BEVERLY ANNE WILTZ (Under the Direction of Daniel R. Suiter) ABSTRACT The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, and Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), are invasive species that are major pests in urban, natural, and agricultural habitats. The goal of this dissertation was to study aspects the chemical sensitivity, behavior, and ecology of each species to enhance control options. In these studies, I: 1) provide recommendations for the optimal usage of various insecticides against each species, 2) evaluate deterrent and toxic effects of natural products, 3) develop a delivery system for ant toxicants that uses a pheromonal attractant to facilitate toxicant transfer by contact, and 4) determine which habitats within blackland prairies are most susceptible to invasion by imported fire ants. Bifenthrin had properties best suited for use as barrier or mound treatments against both species. In laboratory assays, it was the fastest acting of the chemicals tested and was the only chemical that acted as a barrier to ant movement. Fipronil exhibited high horizontal toxicity and delayed topical toxicity, properties that are desirable in a broadcast treatment. Chlorfenapyr and thiamethoxam appeared best suited to use as mound treatments, as they had low horizontal toxicity and did not impede ant movement in barrier tests. At least one of the four tested rates of basil, citronella, lemon, peppermint, and tea tree oils were repellent to both ant species. In continuous exposure assays, citronella oil was toxic to both species, and peppermint and tea tree oils were toxic to Argentine ants. -
Molecular Diversity of the Microsporidium Kneallhazia Solenopsae Reveals an Expanded Host Range Among fire Ants in North America
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 105 (2010) 279–288 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Invertebrate Pathology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jip Molecular diversity of the microsporidium Kneallhazia solenopsae reveals an expanded host range among fire ants in North America Marina S. Ascunce a,b,*, Steven M. Valles a, David H. Oi a, DeWayne Shoemaker a, Robert Plowes c, Lawrence Gilbert c, Edward G. LeBrun c, Hussein Sánchez-Arroyo d, Sergio Sanchez-Peña e a USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, USA b Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA c University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA d Instituto de Fitosanidad, Montecillo, Mexico State, Mexico e Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico article info abstract Article history: Kneallhazia solenopsae is a pathogenic microsporidium that infects the fire ants Solenopsis invicta and Received 11 May 2010 Solenopsis richteri in South America and the USA. In this study, we analyzed the prevalence and molecular Accepted 26 July 2010 diversity of K. solenopsae in fire ants from North and South America. We report the first empirical evi- Available online 4 August 2010 dence of K. solenopsae infections in the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata, and S. geminata  Solenopsis xyloni hybrids, revealing an expanded host range for this microsporidium. We also analyzed the molec- Keywords: ular diversity at the 16S ribosomal RNA gene in K. solenopsae from the ant hosts S. invicta, S. richteri, S. Microsporidia geminata and S. geminata  S. xyloni hybrids from North America, Argentina and Brazil. -
Fire Ants on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches in South Florida, Usa, and St
FIRE ANTS ON SEA TURTLE NESTING BEACHES IN SOUTH FLORIDA, USA, AND ST. CROIX, USVI by Danielle Kioshima Romais A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida December 2013 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank all who helped me, encouraged me, guided me and cheered for me throughout the development of this research. Thanks to my family, friends, co-workers, professors and mentors. Dr. James K. Wetterer, I would like to thank you for the trust you invested in me from the very beginning. Thank you for the opportunity to conduct research in this topic. Thank you for the great ideas and the freedom to develop the work as my own. Dr. Jon Moore and Dr. Erik Noonburg, I would like to thank you for being members of this thesis committee. Thank you for the timely and valuable advice on methodology. Thanks to Claudia Lombard from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in St. Croix, USVI, for being so helpful during the Sandy Point survey. Thanks to Dr. Mark Deyrup at Archibold Biological Station for conducting the final identification of all the ant species surveyed. Your expertise is unmatched. Thanks to Dr. Kirk Rusenko and the Sea Turtle Research Team at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center for the logistic and GIS support during the surveys conducted in Boca Raton, FL. iii Thanks to the Environmental Science Program staff and faculty for setting the stage for learning and meaningful research to take place.