Fire Ant Control with Entomopathogens in the USA

Microsporidia Biological Control Agents and Pathogens of Beneficial Insects

“…The reason for the much higher prevalence is unclear, but it was speculated that a genetic basis or perhaps an intermediate host could be responsible (Valles & Briano 2004). Oi and Valles (2009) indicated that the social form assay used by Valles & Briano (2004) may not be completely diagnostic for South American S. invicta populations; nevertheless, the assay did provide a conservative determination for monogyny (Shoemaker & Ascunce 2010).…”

“…Its establishment and extensive spread and failed eradication attempts in the United States have brought biological control to the forefront as a viable sustainable strategy that can possibly suppress well-established invasive ants Oi & Valles 2009). Among the many natural enemies of S. invicta, two microsporidian pathogens from South America, Kneallhazia solenopsae and Vairimorpha invictae, were considered to be promising biological control agents for this pest ant .…”

“…Population reductions in both hosts fluctuated over time, with maximum reductions of 63% in the United States and 83% in Argentina. Reductions were often attributed to smaller colony sizes as opposed to declines in the number of fire ant nests (Oi & Valles 2009). …”

“…Infections of K. solenopsae can be established in laboratory and field S. invicta colonies by introducing live, infected larvae and/or pupae into the colonies (Williams et al 1999;Oi et al 2001Oi et al , 2008. The introduction of brood was used to establish infections in several states in the United States (Oi & Valles 2009;Fig. 25.2).…”

Response of Workers to Polyoxyethylene Tridecyl Ether Surfactants in Relation to Hydrophilic-lipophilic Balance

“…After the failure of those eradication programs, tremendous effort has been made in developing alternatives for controlling these ants, including the biological control [4 -7]. Despite substantial success in developing biological control technologies, such as the introduction and establishment of phorid flies [4] and the discovery of S. invicta infecting fungal isolates, microsporidia and viruses [5], chemical control using synthetic insecticides remains a major tool in controlling S. invicta.…”