Red imported fire ant
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Tribe: Solenopsidini Genus: Solenopsis Species: S. invicta
Binomial name
Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972

The red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), or simply RIFA, is one of over 280 members of the widespread genus Solenopsis. Although the red imported fire ant is native to South America, it is best known in the United States, Australia, Taiwan, Philippines, and the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.^{[citation needed]} In January 2005, several ant-hills belonging to fire ants were found in northern Hong Kong.^{[citation needed]} Later, after a thorough search for the ant was conducted there, several hundred ant-hills were found in different parts of Hong Kong.^{[citation needed]} There were also reports of ant hills in Macau, the former Portuguese enclave that borders the province of Guangdong. Download high resolution version (640x873, 202 KB)Photograph of fire ants by Scott Bauer. ... Scientific classification redirects here. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Subphyla and Classes Subphylum Trilobitomorpha Trilobita - trilobites (extinct) Subphylum Chelicerata Arachnida - spiders,scorpions, etc. ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... Suborders Apocrita Symphyta Hymenoptera is one of the larger orders of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. ... For other uses, see Ant (disambiguation). ... Species 266, see text Solenopsis is a genus of ant, of which there are 266 species. ... Latin name redirects here. ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... Species S. conjurata S. daguerrei S. fugax S. invicta S. molesta S. richteri S. solenopsidis S. wagneri S. xyloni  many more, see text Fire ants, sometimes referred to as simply red ants, are stinging ants with over 280 species worldwide. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Not to be confused with the former Kwantung Leased Territory in north-eastern China. ... Categories: Stub | Myrmecology ...

Colonies were accidentally introduced into the United States in the 1930s through the seaport of Mobile, Alabama.^[1] Cargo ships from Brazil docking at Mobile unloaded goods infested with the ants; they have since spread from Alabama to the coastal plain and piedmont of almost all of the south-eastern states, as well as into California. The ants were accidentally introduced into Australia in 2001, in a similar way.^[2] Nickname: Coordinates: , Country State County Mobile Founded 1702 Incorporated 1814 Government  - Mayor Sam Jones Area  - City 412. ...

Overview

RIFA are more aggressive than most native ant species and have a painful sting. A person typically encounters them by inadvertently stepping into one of their mounds, which causes the ants to swarm up the person's legs, attacking en masse. The ants respond to pheromones that are released by the first ant to attack. The ants then swarm and immediately sting when any movement is sensed. Fanning honeybee exposes Nasonov gland (white-at tip of abdomen) releasing pheromone to entice swarm into an empty hive A pheromone (from Greek φέρω phero to bear + ‘ορμόνη hormone) is a chemical that triggers a natural behavioral response in another member of the same species. ...

Texas fire ant

RIFA are efficient competitors to other ants, and have been successful at enlarging their range, notably in the United States, where they have gradually spread north and west despite intense efforts to stop them. Today they are found in most of the south-eastern states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia. It is not uncommon for several fire ant mounds to appear suddenly in a suburban yard or a farmer's field, seemingly overnight. Even in the San Francisco, California, area, there are large numbers of red imported fire ants. (At least one community uses the presence of fire ants as a publicity opportunity: Marshall, Texas, hosts an annual fire ant festival.) Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1360, 2280 KB) Summary Taken by Wing-Chi Poon on 19th November 2005 on the hill-top of West Trail, Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas, USA. This photo shows a colony of reddish brown ants. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1360, 2280 KB) Summary Taken by Wing-Chi Poon on 19th November 2005 on the hill-top of West Trail, Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas, USA. This photo shows a colony of reddish brown ants. ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Oklahoma (disambiguation). ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. state of Tennessee. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... Official language(s) English Demonym North Carolinian Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th in the US  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (340 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ... Official language(s) English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32° 2′ N to 35° 13′ N  - Longitude 78° 32′ W to 83... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Largest metro area Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 101 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N... This article is about the U.S. state. ... San Francisco redirects here. ... Marshall is a major city of the northeastern region of the U.S. state of Texas. ...

Current distribution of the RIFA in the United States

RIFA are still on the move, often travelling from one area to another in turf, root balls of nursery plants, and other agricultural products. They are a pest, not only because of the physical pain they can inflict, but because their mound-building activity can damage plant roots and lead to loss of crops. Their stings are rarely life-threatening to humans and other large animals, causing only 80 documented deaths as of 2006. They often kill smaller animals such as birds. They sometimes kill newborn calves if the calves do not get on their feet quickly enough. The sting of the RIFA has venom composed of a necrotizing alkaloid which causes both pain and the formation of white pustules which appear one day after the sting. Image File history File links FireantmapUSA.jpg‎ [edit] Summary Fire ant distribution in the United states of America. ... Image File history File links FireantmapUSA.jpg‎ [edit] Summary Fire ant distribution in the United states of America. ... Necrosis (in Greek Νεκρός = Dead) is the name given to accidental death of cells and living tissue. ... Chemical structure of ephedrine, a phenethylamine alkaloid An alkaloid is a nitrogen-containing naturally occurring compound, produced by a large variety of organisms, including fungi, plants, animals, and bacteria. ...

Red imported fire ants are extremely resilient and have adaptations to contend with both flooding and drought conditions. If the ants sense increased water levels in their nests, they will come together and form a huge ball or raft that is able to float on the water, with the workers on the outside and the queen inside. Once the ball hits a tree or other stationary object, the ants swarm onto it and wait for the water levels to recede. To contend with drought conditions, their nest structure includes a network of underground foraging tunnels that extends down to the water table. Also, despite the fact that they do not hibernate during the winter, colonies can survive cold conditions as low as 16 °F (−9 °C). For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Celsius (disambiguation). ...

At present, RIFA in the United States can be controlled but not eradicated. A number of products are available, which can be used on a mound-by-mound basis to destroy ant colonies when they appear. With all such efforts, it is important to reach and kill the queens, which may be as far as six feet (2 m) underground; otherwise, some queens may simply move a short distance away and quickly re-establish the colony. A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... This article is about the unit of length. ...

Body structure

Fire ants are bilaterally symmetrical. They have hardened exoskeletons, a tough integument for support and protection. They breathe through tracheae, like other terrestrial insects. In biology, bilateral symmetry is a characteristic of multicellular organisms, particularly animals. ... An exoskeleton is an external anatomical feature that supports and protects an animals body, in contrast to the internal endoskeleton of, for example, a human. ... An integument is an outer protective covering such as the feathers or skin of an animal or rind or shell. ... Many terrestrial arthropods have evolved a closed respiratory system composed of spiracles, tracheae, and tracheoles to transport metabolic gasses to and from tissue. ...

Their bodies, like their relatives' (the bees and wasps), are divided into three major parts: head, mesosoma, and metasoma. They have three pairs of legs, and a pair of elbowed antennae. The distinguishing characteristics of the Family Formicidae (the ants) are the presence of a pedicel or hump between the thorax and the gaster or abdomen of the insect. The Formicidae also have geniculate or elbowed antennae. For other uses, see Western honey bee and Bee (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Wasp (disambiguation). ... For other uses of the word head, see head (disambiguation). ... Scorpion anatomy: 1 = Prosoma; 2 = Mesosoma; 3 = Metasoma The mesosoma is clearly visible on this ant: it is the midlle section, in between the head and the petiole The mesosoma is the middle part of the body, or tagma, of arthropods whose body is composed of three parts, the other... Scorpion anatomy: 1 = Prosoma; 2 = Mesosoma; 3 = Metasoma The metasoma is clearly visible on this ant: it is the posterior section, including the petiole The metasoma is the posterior part of the body, or tagma, of arthropods whose body is composed of three parts, the other two being the prosoma... Insects display a wide variety of antennal shapes. ...

Red imported fire ants are further distinguished from the other ants by the presence of both a pedicel and postpediole. In other words they belong to a group of ants that have two humps between the thorax and abdomen. The workers have ten antennal segments terminating in a two segmented club. It is often difficult to distinguish between the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta and the other species in the genus. A number of characters are used, but are not always consistent between the black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri)or hybrids between the two species. Positive identifications can be made using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to distinguish differences in the cuticular hydrocarbons. High-performance liquid chromatography (or High pressure liquid chromatography, HPLC) is a form of column chromatography used frequently in biochemistry and analytical chemistry to separate, identify, and quantify compounds. ...

As in other ants, the worker and soldier ants are sterile females. The queen is responsible for laying thousands of eggs. The number of males is low because they are only produced during a brief period of the year when mating swarms are emerging.

Contrary to what most people believe, a fire ant does not just “bite.” They use their jaws to anchor themselves and then, like a bee or wasp, inject venom using a sting at the tip of their abdomen. Using their strong mandibles to attach themselves to the victim’s flesh, they can sting many times continuously. They are extremely aggressive and have the ability to deliver venom in unison. Wasp sting, with droplet of venom Venom (literally, poison of animal origin) is any of a variety of toxins used by animals, for the purpose of defense and hunting. ...

Spread

A queen red fire ant, slightly crushed during scanning

The RIFA's introduction to the US was in the late 1930s. Travelling in the soil used as ballast on cargo ships, they came in through port Mobile, Alabama. Since then, the RIFA population has increased its territorial range to include most of the Southern United States, and now parts of the East Coast and California. They build mounds, usually no larger than 46 cm (18 in) in diameter and 46 cm (18 in) in height, although in Alabama some mounds have been reported to be over 60 cm high (2 ft) and larger, especially in fields where cattle graze, they build on soil close to homes and other buildings, and sometimes forage indoors for food and moisture. They are a nuisance and can threaten sleeping or bedridden individuals, and pets. Occasionally they feed on vegetable plants in home gardens. The worst damage usually occurs during hot, dry weather when they invade flowerbeds while seeking warmth and moisture. If disturbed, fire ants bite and sting the intruder. A Red Imported Fire Ant in a scanner This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... A Red Imported Fire Ant in a scanner This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... In computing, a scanner is a device that analyzes images, printed text, or handwriting, or an object (such as an ornament) and converts it to a digital image. ... Historic Southern United States. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... A centimetre (American spelling centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ...

They are somehow attracted to electrical equipment and crawl into air conditioning units and the electrical wiring of stop lights, shorting them out. This is the leading cause of traffic light shorts in Texas, where the ants cause more than US$140 million in damage each year. Several ant species, including fire ants, have been shown to contain ferromagnetic nanoparticles that may contribute information about the geomagnetic field for orientation during foraging or migration.^[3] However, it has not been found that electric or magnetic fields attract the ants.^[4] Rather, when wandering ants cause electrical shorts, they attempt to sting the wire and produce powerful semiochemicals, including defensive and recruitment pheromones.^[5] The chemical signals draw additional ants to the short. The only effective protection is to bar ants from the equipment physically or with insecticides. Electrical wiring in general refers to insulated conductors used to carry electricity, and associated devices. ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... A semiochemical is a generic term used for a chemical substance or mixture that carries a message. ... Fanning honeybee exposes Nasonov gland (white-at tip of abdomen) releasing pheromone to entice swarm into an empty hive A pheromone (from Greek φέρω phero to bear + ‘ορμόνη hormone) is a chemical that triggers a natural behavioral response in another member of the same species. ...

The FDA estimates that more than US$5 billion is spent annually on medical treatment, damage, and control in RIFA-infested areas. Further, the ants cause approximately US$750 million in damage to agricultural assets, including vet bills and livestock loss as well as crop loss.^[6]

Fire ants are excellent natural predators and are biological controls for pests such as the sugarcane borer, the rice stink bug, the striped earwig, aphids, the boll weevil, the soybean looper, the cotton leafworm, the hornfly, and many other pests harmful to crops. However, they also kill beneficial pollinators such as ground-nesting bee species. Seeds, fruits, leaves, roots, bark, nectar, sap, fungi, and carrion are all fire-ant prey, and they are not shy from creating their own carrion either. They are proficient enough at overwhelming intruders that they can virtually clear an area of invertebrates, lizards, and ground-dwelling birds. Families There are 10 families: Anoeciidae Aphididae Drepanosiphidae Greenideidae Hormaphididae Lachnidae Mindaridae Pemphigidae Phloeomyzidae Thelaxidae Aphids, also known as greenfly or plant lice, are minute plant-feeding insects. ... Binomial name Anthonomus grandis Boheman, 1843 Wikispecies has information related to: Boll weevil The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) is a beetle measuring an average length of six millimeters (¼ inch). ... A pollinator is the agent that moves pollen from the male anthers of a flower to the female stigma of a flower to accomplish fertilization or syngamy of the female gamete in the ovule of the flower by the male gamete from the pollen grain. ... For other uses, see Western honey bee and Bee (disambiguation). ... An American Black Vulture feeding on squirrel carrion For other uses, see Carrion (disambiguation). ...

Since September 2004, Taiwan has been seriously affected by the red fire ant. A few people are reported to have succumbed to venom from the ant stings. A large campaign to kill the ants has been partially effective, but it has not been able to eliminate all of them.

In China in January 2005, a controversy arose when it became known that Guangdong's provincial government had suppressed all information about the spread of fire ants in the province since the middle of 2004. Hong Kong newspapers, including Appledaily, Mingpao, Hong Kong Economic Times, Singtao and Takungpao (the latter funded by the Chinese government), have also reported that the ants have been found in both Shenzhen and Wuchuan in Guangdong province. Not to be confused with the former Kwantung Leased Territory in north-eastern China. ... For other uses, see Shenzhen (disambiguation). ... Guangdong (Simplified Chinese: 广东; Traditional Chinese: 廣東; pinyin: Guǎngdōng; Wade-Giles: Kuang-tung; Kwangtung in older transliteration; Cantonese: gwong2 dung1), is a province on the south coast of the Peoples Republic of China. ...

According to a press briefing of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong, the city authorities have also located several ant-hills of Solenopsis invicta in an artificial wetland in Hong Kong's north-western section. Categories: Stub | Myrmecology ... A subtropical wetland in Florida, USA, with an endangered American Crocodile. ...

There have also been reports of ant-hills in Metro Manila and the Province of Cavite in the Philippines since July 2005, however since early 2007 they have spread now as far as the Bicol Region. For the capital city of the Philippines, see Manila. ... This article is about the province of Cavite. ... Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 16 regions of the Philippines occupying the Bicol Peninsula at the southeastern end of Luzon island and some other islands. ...

An outbreak of RIFA in Queensland, Australia, was discovered on 22 February 2001. It is believed that the ants were present in shipping containers arriving at the Port of Brisbane from the United States. Anecdotal evidence suggests fire ants may have been present in Australia for six to eight years prior to formal identification. While the outbreak is restricted to a small (800 km²) region of south-east Queensland in and around Brisbane, the potential social, economic, and ecological damage prompted the Australian government to respond rapidly. The initial emergency response was followed by the formation of the Fire Ant Control Centre in September 2001. Joint state and federal funding of A$175,000,000 was granted for a 6-year eradication program involving the employment of more than 600 staff and the broad-scale baiting of approximately 678.9 km² between 8 and 12 times, followed by two years of surveillance. Following the completion of the fourth year of the eradication program, the Fire Ant Control Centre estimated eradication rates of greater than 99% from previously infested properties. The latest (May 8) Federal budget confirmed that the Program will receive extended Commonwealth funding of approximately $A10m for at least another two years until June 2009 to treat the residual infestations found most recently and to fund validation of the overall treatment and surveillance Program. (see: [2]) As in previous years the States have agreed in principle to match the Federal funding. That decision is set to be ratified in June 2007. Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... ISO 4217 Code AUD User(s) Australia 6 countries and territories Kiribati Nauru Tuvalu Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Norfolk Island Inflation 4. ...

Countermeasures

Red imported fire ants have virtually no natural biological control agents in the United States, China, Philippines, or Australia. Many scientists and agencies are attempting to develop methods to stop the spread of the RIFA. Predatory Polistes wasp looking for bollworms or other caterpillars on a cotton plant Biological control of pests and diseases is a method of controlling pests (including weeds and diseases) in agriculture that relies on natural predation, parasitism or other natural mechanism, rather than introduced chemicals. ...

Biological methods

Traditionally, control of RIFA has been achieved through pesticide use, but current research is introducing natural enemies of the ant. The microsporidian protozoan Thelohania solenopsae and the fungus Beauveria bassiana are promising pathogens. Solenopsis daguerrei, a parasitic ant, invades RIFA colonies to replace the queen in hopes of gaining control of the colony. For this reason, its use as a biological control agent is also being explored. Also a simple introduction of an anteater may also help, but it is currently being dismissed^{[citation needed]} because the anteater is currently endangered^[7]. A pesticide is a substance or mixture of substances used for preventing, controlling, or lessening the damage caused by a pest. ... Leishmania donovani, (a species of protozoan) in a bone marrow cell (in Greek proto = first and zoa = animals) are one-celled eukaryotes (that is, unicellular microbes whose cells have membrane-bound nuclei) that commonly show characteristics usually associated with animals, mobility and heterotrophy. ... For the fictional character, see Fungus the Bogeyman. ... Binomial name Beauveria bassiana (Bals. ... A pathogen (from Greek pathos, suffering/emotion, and gene, to give birth to), infectious agent, or more commonly germ, is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. ... Predatory Polistes wasp looking for bollworms or other caterpillars on a cotton plant Biological control of pests and diseases is a method of controlling pests (including weeds and diseases) in agriculture that relies on natural predation, parasitism or other natural mechanism, rather than introduced chemicals. ... For other uses, see Anteater (disambiguation). ... The Siberian Tiger is a subspecies of tiger that are critically endangered. ...

Pseudacteon tricuspis and Pseudacteon curvatus are parasitoid phorid flies from South America which parasitize the ants. The female flies each lay an egg at the junction of head and thorax of their victims, prompting a jerky dance manoeuvre by the ants. The larva then slowly consumes the contents of the head, decapitating the ant in the process, and using the exoskeleton as a pupal case. A parasite is an organism that spends a significant portion of its life in or on the living tissue of a host organism and which causes harm to the host without immediately killing it. ... Genera and Species Approximately 230 genera and 3000 species A phorid fly is a small, hump-backed fly of the highly diverse family Phoridae, and resembling a fruit fly in appearance. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Diagram of a tsetse fly, showing the head, thorax and abdomen The thorax is a division of an animals body that lies between the head and the abdomen. ... A larval insect A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... Decapitation (from Latin, caput, capitis, meaning head), or beheading, is the removal of a living organisms head. ... An exoskeleton is an external anatomical feature that supports and protects an animals body, in contrast to the internal endoskeleton of, for example, a human. ...

Phorid flies have been introduced in many places in southeastern United States, and are slowly reproducing and spreading to cover the entire RIFA range. The amount of actual damage done by phorid flies is minimal, but the ants appear to be aware of the hovering flies, losing their social organization and ceasing foraging, thus causing much greater damage in the long run. In addition, phorid flies are very species-specific, and should in theory leave native ant species (the fire ants' prime competitor) unmolested. Foraging just means looking for food (or, metaphorically, anything else). ...

A virus, SINV-1,^[8] has been found in about 20 percent of fire ant fields, where it appears to cause the slow death of infected colonies. It has proven to be self-sustaining and transmissible. Once introduced, it can eliminate a colony within three months. Researchers^[9] believe the virus has potential as a viable biopesticide to control fire ants.^[10]

In some cases, hastily adopted biological control agents can do more harm than good (such as the mosquitofish in Australia), and it remains to be seen how much success biological control of the red imported fire ant will have. Binomial name Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard, 1853) The mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, is a species of freshwater fish. ...

Physical methods

Researchers have also been experimenting with extreme temperature change to exterminate RIFA, such as injecting liquid nitrogen or pressurized steam into RIFA nests. Besides using hot steam, pouring boiling water into ant mounds has been found effective in exterminating their nests.^[11]Folk remedies have often sought a rapid increase in temperature by soaking the nest in gasoline or kerosene and lighting it on fire, but this is potentially dangerous and should not be attempted. Further, the burning of the nest is ineffective as the soil acts as a heat shield. The confusion stems from the observed fact that fuel vapour has a near instantaneous lethal effect on the ants and that in the time it takes to pour fuel, set the source away, and then light the mound, the vapours have spread throughout the tunnels and killed the bulk of the mound. A tank of liquid nitrogen, used to supply a cryogenic freezer (for storing laboratory samples at a temperature of about -150 Celsius). ... Petrol redirects here. ... For other uses, see Kerosene (disambiguation). ...

In Brisbane, Australia, colonies are being eradicated or effectively controlled by ground baiting with food laced with contraceptives (that render the colony's Queen infertile) and toxicants. Mass baiting was undertaken following detection of the ants around the port of Brisbane and in south western Brisbane in 2001. Widespread public reporting of suspect colonies (by sending in samples of ants for identification) allowed mapping of the ant's locations. This was combined with satellite imagery to determine the vegetated habitats most likely to be infiltrated by the ants and the baits were targeted in these areas. Known infested areas were declared high-risk (Restricted Areas), and any material being moved from these areas which could harbour ants (soil, mulch, potted plants, potting mix, hay bales, construction machinery etc) had to be inspected prior to disposal or movement and bulk waste sent to transfer stations for examination, treatment and disposal. The infestation was initially thought to cover 270 km² with a density of up to 600,000 colonies/km² on highly infested sites. As Program activity refined data on the infested area, overall size grew to around 80,000ha by 2006/7. At mid-2007 in the on-going nationally-funded eradication campaign, fewer than 100 active colonies were located in the entire South-East Queensland area during the 6 months between September 2006 and February 2007. The focus of delivering eradication has now switched largely to surveillance, while control and validation measures are expected to continue until 2009. The six year eradication campaign has cost A$175 million to date and has just secured funding in principle for a minimum of two more years.^[12][13] This article is about the Australian city. ... Birth control is the practice of preventing or reducing the probability of pregnancy without abstaining from sexual intercourse; the term is also sometimes used to include abortion, the ending of an unwanted pregnancy, or abstinence. ... A toxicant is a chemical compound that has an effect on organisms. ... This is the first crude picture obtained from Explorer 6 Earth satellite. ... A habitat (from the Latin for it inhabits) is the place where a particular organism usually lives or grows. ... Moreton Bay Boat Club and Marina. ...

See also

• Killer ants

Pesticide controls Killer ant is a term to describe any of several species of ants that are predatory, attack en masse when their mounds are disturbed, and can kill animals many times their size, even deer if they are immobilized. ...

• Amdro
• Acephate

ACEPHATE is an organophosphate foliar insecticide of moderate persistence with residual systemic activity of about 10-15 days at the recommended use rate. ...

References

1. ^ Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
2. ^ McCubbin K, Weiner J (2002). Fire ants in Australia: a new medical and ecological hazard. Medical Journal of Australia 176 (11): 518-9. PMID 12064981. 
3. ^ Acosta-Avalos, D, E. Wajnberg, P. S. Oliveira, I. I. Leal, M. Farina & D. M. Esquivel (1999). Isolation of magnetic nano particles from Pachycondyla marginata ants. Journal of Experimental Biology 202 (19): 2687–2692. 
4. ^ Elsberry, Richard (September 1997). Fatal electrical attraction: Invasion of the insects from Hell.
5. ^ R. K. Vander Meerl, T. J. Slovak & H. G Thorvilson. "Semiochemicals Released by Electrically-Shocked Red Imported Fire Ants". The Texas Imported Fire Ant Research & Management Plan - Project Highlights for 1998 and Community-Wide Imported Fire Ant Management Projects at Mt. Pleasant, San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas. 
6. ^ McDonald, Maggie (February 2006). Reds Under Your Feet (interview with Robert Vander Meer). New Scientist 189 (2538): 50. 
7. ^ http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9007756/anteater
8. ^ Steven M. Vallesa, Charles A. Strong, Phat M. Dang, Wayne B. Hunter, Roberto M. Pereira, David H. Oi, Alexandra M. Shapiro, David F. Williams (2004-07-09). "A picorna-like virus from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta: initial discovery, genome sequence, and characterization" (in English). Virology 328: 151–157. 
9. ^ Integrated management of imported fire ants and emerging urban pest problems. United States Department of Agriculture (2007-05-17).
10. ^ "Fire ants may have met their match", CNN, 2007-05-07. 
11. ^ [1]
12. ^ Catalyst: Fire Ant update - ABC TV Science
13. ^ http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fireants/8063.html

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is an operating unit of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). ... New Scientist is a weekly international science magazine covering recent developments in science and technology for a general English-speaking audience. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... USDA redirects here. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 137th day of the year (138th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 127th day of the year (128th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Solenopsis invicta

• National Pest Management Association's fact sheet on fire ant control, infestations and prevention
• Imported Fire Ants: Biology, Control, and Management at eXtension
• Clemson University Sandhill Research and Education Center RIFA Page
• Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project
• Official Queensland site
• News about extermination efforts in China
• History, Biology, Control of Imported Fire Ants
• USDA Imported Fire And and Household Insects research unit
• Behavioral and Community Interaction of Phorid Flies and Fire Ants (UT Austin, Dr. Gilbert)
• The imported fire ant: how to control it. hosted by the UNT Government Documents Department
• The National Park Service's pest management manual for fire ants.
• National Invasive Species Information Center's profile on the RIFA