Project Number: 6402-22320-002-01
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: May 22, 2001
End Date: May 21, 2006

Objective:
The objective of the agreement will be to investigate acoustical communications among imported fire ants both within colonies and between colonies, and how the ants respond to acoustical vibration both in the air and in the soil.

Approach:
It is generally believed that chemical communication is the principal method for communication among ants, and that acoustical communications is relatively unimportant. Since a large number of ants produce sounds by stridulating, acoustical communication among ants may be very important. This could have significant impact if we can identify a behavioral response by imported fire ants (IFA) to an acoustical signal. Earlier research by the National Center for Physical Acoustics (NCPA) has shown that the black imported fire ant produces stridulatory sounds by gaster flagging. We also know that ants have chordotonal organs on the legs that are sensitive to vibrations in the substrate. The NCPA has developed a micro electro-technique, and a senstive acoustical sensor array for detecting vibrations from small insects. With an understanding of the acoustical responses from IFA we may be able to develop: 1) a nonchemical acoustical barrier; 2) a technique for surveying fire ant populations; or 3) a novel technique for their destruction.

Project Team

Streett, Douglas Henry Bass - Director, Nat'l Center For Physical Acoustics 662-686-5229

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001

Related National Programs

Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology (104)