Project Number: 6402-22320-003-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Oct 01, 2004
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
Our overall goal is to develop and implement new tools for sustainable management of imported fire ants in the context of regional integrated management programs. We will address four specific objectives applicable to regional programs: Objective 1: Develop remote sensing technology for detecting and quantifying imported fire ant mounds. Objective 2: Identify and evaluate candidate biological control agents for efficacy against imported fire ants. Objective 3: Improve imported fire ant bait acceptance, weather-resistance, specificity and storage stability by modifying bait physical and chemical properties. Objective 4: Develop improved production, storage, and delivery techniques for biological control agents.

Approach:
Develop and implement new tools for sustainable management of imported fire ants in the context of regional management programs. Each objective below is applicable to ongoing regional programs, which are designed to facilitate collaboration and provide a framework for developing stakeholder-specific, sustainable solutions to fire ant problems. The Mid South Imported Fire Ant Management Program, comprised of state and federal agencies and university partners, has been established to develop such collaborative efforts. This program consists of cooperators from four universities, four federal agencies, three state agencies, and private landowners. We are initiating regional management programs with two stakeholders: (1) Ball-and-burlap nursery plant producers in south-central Tennessee, and (2) the National Park Service, Natchez Trace Parkway. Various research activities along the Natchez Trace Parkway by ARS personnel and collaborators are covered under a National Park Service permit (#NATR-2003-SCI-0012).

Project Team

Streett, Douglas Chen, Jian Vogt, James

Related National Programs

Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology (104)