Naturally Occurring Compounds/Materials as Alternatives to Synthetic Chemical Insecticides for Use in Fire Ant Management

Abstract

The invasive red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (hereafter, fire ants), is a significant threat to public health and a danger to livestock, pets and wildlife due to their venomous stings. The fire ant has invaded many countries and regions and has become a globally significant pest. The current major tool to manage fire ants are synthetic insecticides that are used largely as stomach poisons in bait products or contact insecticides in spray, broadcast, drench, and dust products for area and nest treatments. In addition to these insecticide products, repellants and fumigants can also be useful in some unique scenarios. The ever-increasing public concern about the potential adverse effects of synthetic insecticides on health and the environment has been a driving force for searching for safer alternatives to control fire ants. Tremendous effort has been made in developing biologically-based control for managing fire ants; however, natural products continue to be one of the most attractive sources of safe alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Here, we summarized the synthetic insecticides that are currently used in managing fire ants, available alternative products in the current market, and academic efforts in searching for fire ant natural toxins, repellants and fumigants.

Allelopathic, Phytotoxic, and Insecticidal Effects of Thymus proximus Serg. Essential Oil and Its Major Constituents

“…Natural products with plant origin can play crucial roles in pest management practice (Faraone et al, 2015 ; Barua et al, 2020 ; Basaid et al, 2020 ; Chen and Oi, 2020 ). Previously, EOs synthesized by Thymus species have been demonstrated to possess insecticidal activity.…”

Toxicity, horizontal transfer, and physiological and behavioral effects of cycloxaprid against Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

“…Chen et al 11 . listed 31 active ingredients used in contact insecticide products registered for S. invicta control in the United States.…”

“…listed 31 active ingredients used in contact insecticide products registered for S. invicta control in the United States. More than 50% of these active ingredients are synthetic pyrethroids, whereas only a few neonicotinoid insecticides have been registered for use against S. invicta 11 . Synthetic pyrethroids are readily accepted by users because of their fast effect.…”

“…However, mound treatments may have some limitations. First, S. invicta may not construct mounds during rainy seasons or in urban areas with a lot of human disturbance 6,11 . Second, this method requires the use of large amounts of insecticides.…”

“…Synthetic pyrethroids ( e.g . bifenthrin and cypermethrin) can cause rapid mortality of S. invicta and have been widely applied to treat the area surfaces and ant mounds 11 . In addition, some insecticides, such as imidacloprid and fipronil, have delayed toxicity against S. invicta and can effectively transfer among nestmates, which may give a greater chance to eliminate whole colonies 12,13 .…”