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Research Project: INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF IMPORTED FIRE ANTS AND EMERGING URBAN PEST PROBLEMS

Location: Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects

Title: Distributional patterns of Pseudacteon associated with the Solenopsis saevissima complex in South America

Authors
item Patrock, Richard - UNIVERS. NACIONAL QUILMES
item Folgarait, Patricia - UNIVERS. NACIONAL QUILMES
item Gilbert, Lawrence - USDA/ARS
item Porter, Sanford

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 10, 2007
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Biological control efforts against imported fire ants have so far mostly involved the use of fire ant decapitating flies in the genus Pseudacteon. To facilitate further exploration for new species and new biotypes of these flies, scientists from the National University of Quilmes, Argentina, the University of Texas, and the USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL organized a database of collection records for fire ant decapitating flies, including those from the literature and other sources. These data were used to map the geographical ranges of species associated with the imported fire ants in their native range in South America. Approximately equal numbers of Pseudacteon species were found in temperate and tropical regions. No significant differences in sizes of geographical ranges were found between Pseudacteon associated with the different host complexes of the fire ants despite the much larger collection effort associated with fire ants in South America. Flies with the most extensive ranges had either multiple hosts or hosts with broad distributions. Finally, areas in southern South America that have been under-explored for decapitating flies associated with imported fire ants are discussed. This study is important because it will help determine where future efforts to collect new decapitating flies should be conducted.

Technical Abstract: Classical biological control efforts against the imported fire ants have largely involved the use of Pseudacteon parasitoids. To facilitate further exploration for species and population biotypes we organized a database of collection records for Pseudacteon species, including those from the literature and other sources. These data were then used to map the geographical ranges of species associated with the imported fire ants in their native range in South America. In addition, we found geographical range metrics for all species in the genus and related these metrics to latitude and host use. Approximately equal numbers of Pseudacteon species were found in temperate and tropical regions, though the majority of taxa found only in temperate areas were found in the Northern Hemisphere. No significant differences in sizes of geographical ranges were found between Pseudacteon associated with the different host complexes of the fire ants despite the much larger and systemic collection effort associated with the S. saevissima host group. Geographical range of the flies was loosely associated with both the number of hosts and the geographical range of their hosts. Pseudacteon with the most extensive ranges had either multiple hosts or hosts with broad distributions. Mean species richnesses of Pseudacteon in locality species assemblages associated with S. saevissima complex ants was 2.8 species, but intensively sampled locations were usually higher. We discuss possible factors related to variation in geographical range size and outline areas in southern South America that have likely been under-explored for Pseudacteon associated with imported fire ants.

   

 
Project Team
Vander Meer, Robert - Bob
Oi, David
Valles, Steven
Porter, Sanford
Shoemaker, David - Dewayne
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology (104)
 
Related Projects
   RISK ASSESSMENT & INTEGRATED TERMITE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR HAWAII AND THE PACIFIC BASIN
   IDENTIFICATION OF NATIVE SOURCE POPULATIONS OF THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT, SOLENOPSIS INVICTA
   IDENTIFICATION OF NATIVE SOURCE POPULATIONS OF THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT, SOLENOPSIS INVICTA
   BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FIRE ANTS USING NEW SPECIES OF PHORID DECAPITATING FLIES
 
 
Last Modified: 02/22/2009
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