Project Number: 6402-22320-001-03
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Sep 23, 2002
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to release the fire ant (Solenopsis invicta X richteri) parasitoid Pseudacteon curvatus and assess its establishment and spread in southern Tennessee.

Approach:
P. curvatus flies will be established by transporting host ants from the release site in Alabama to the phorid fly rearing facility in Starkville, MS, exposing the ants to fly attack for a period of time, and releasing the parasitized ants back into the field. Recapture data from a release in Clay Co., MS indicate that this release method is effective. Flies will be considered to be established when they are observed attacking ants in the field for several consecutive dates, beginning 1 month after the last date of release. Pretreatment assessment of fire ant and native ant populations will serve as baseline data for future studies on the effects of the parasitoids.

Project Team

Vogt, James Jason Oliver - Res. Entomologist 662-686-3065

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology (104)