<i>Solenopsis invicta</i>(Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Defend<i>Phenacoccus solenopsis</i>(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Against its Natural Enemies

Zhou, Aiming; Lu, Yongyue; Ling, Zeng; Xu, Yijuan; Liang, Guangwen

doi:10.1603/en12168

Cited by 27 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(57 reference statements)

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“…Thus we found partial support for our third hypothesis that honeydew‐producing insects may cause fire ants to shift foraging activity away from the soil surface and onto cotton foliage, however, our finding goes a step further and suggests that the impact of ant–hemipteran symbioses on predation dynamics may vary with hemipteran species composition. Studies on the effects of honeydew on fire ant activity have focused primarily on aphids, but others have shown that this relationship also extends to scale insects, mealybugs and whiteflies (Queiroz & Oliveira, ; Helms et al , ; Zhou et al , ). While the exact interaction between fire ants and whiteflies in the present study is unknown, whitefly densities were slightly higher in plots where ants were not suppressed, leading us to infer that, like other ant–hemipteran interactions, it was symbiotic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, modifies predation at the soil surface and in cotton foliage

Wickings

Ruberson

2016

Annals of Applied Biology

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Red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, are generalist predators that can have major impacts on foliar arthropod communities in agricultural systems; however, their effects as predators at the soil surface have not been adequately characterized. We examined the contribution of fire ants to predation at the soil surface and in cotton foliage at two sites and over the course of two field seasons in Georgia, using egg masses of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. To assess interactions between fire ants and other arthropod species, we also measured the densities of edaphic predators and honeydew-producing hemipterans at both sites. The sites occurred in different growing regions (Piedmont and Coastal Plain), and allowed us to characterize the importance of fire ants as predators under different climatic and soil conditions. Fire ant suppression decreased egg predation at both field sites, and predation by fire ants at the soil surface was equal to if not greater than that in cotton foliage. However, the impact of fire ants on predation varied between sites, likely due to differences in climate and the composition and activity of the extant arthropod communities. Our study also indicates that fire ant suppression is associated with decreases in the density of honeydew-producing insects, and increasing abundance of whiteflies on the plants coincided with a decrease in egg predation at the soil surface. This finding suggests the mutualism between ants and whiteflies may lead to a shift in predation intensity from edaphic towards plant-based food webs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, modifies predation at the soil surface and in cotton foliage

Wickings

Ruberson

2016

Annals of Applied Biology

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“…In China, this mealybug has established a close mutualistic relationship with native ants, e.g., the ghost ant Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) (Zhou et al 2014c), and invasive ants, e.g., the imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (Zhou et al 2014a). During these interactions, mealybugs are protected by ants from attacks by parasitoids and predators, while ants receive large quantities of honeydew produced by mealybugs (Zhou et al 2012a(Zhou et al , 2013b(Zhou et al , 2014b(Zhou et al , 2015bCheng et al 2015;Feng et al 2015). Therefore, ants potentially facilitate the invasion and spread of P. solenopsis through providing protection (Zhou et al 2012a, c;Feng et al 2015).…”

Section: Mutualistic Relationship With Antsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…direct, most important aspect is that ants reduce visits of natural enemies to infested plants, thereby reducing parasitism or predation rates on mealybugs (Cheng et al 2013;Zhou et al 2014b). Second, aggressive ants may kill natural enemies of mealybugs, as observed in S. invicta that preys on ladybeetle larvae (Zhou et al 2013b). Additionally, some ants (e.g., T. melanocephalum) manipulate the composition of the honeydew produced by P. solenopsis, which in turn impairs the performance of natural enemies (e.g., the parasitoid Aenasius bambawalei Hayat) (Feng et al 2015;Zhou et al 2016).…”

Section: Mutualistic Relationship With Antsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasion biology of the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley: Current knowledge and future directions

Tong

et al. 2019

Journal of Integrative Agriculture

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The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), which is native to North America, emerged as a major invasive insect pest of multiple crops in Asia at the beginning of the 21st century. Considering the economic significance of this insect and its rapid worldwide spread, we examined the possible factors driving its invasions. In this paper, we summarize the life history traits of P. solenopsis conceivably related to population development in invaded regions; these traits include its use of diverse host plants, reproductive capacity and mode, adaptation to temperature, response to food shortage, and insecticidal resistance. Then, focusing on the multiple trophic interactions that may promote or hinder invasion, we review the mutualistic relationship of this mealybug with ants and predation and parasitism by natural enemies. Finally, we suggest topics for future research and provide our perspective on the biological invasions of this mealybug. We speculate that specific biological factors associated with this mealybug, particularly its wide host range, high reproductive potential, evolved changes in life history traits, and mutualism with ants have played important roles in its invasions, allowing this pest to become established and rapidly increase its population upon its introduction into new regions.

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“…In China, S. invicta has a close symbiosis with another introduced pest: Phenacoccus solenopsis. Defending the mealybug against its natural enemies, and significantly decreasing the survival of lady beetle larvae (Zhou et al 2013).…”

Section: Impactmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasions of four South-American tramp ants: a systematic review

Polanía

2019

Rev. U.D.C.A Act. & Div. Cient.

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The invasion and spread of four native South American ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Linepithema humile, Solenopsis invicta, Wasmannia auropunctata and Paratrechina (Nylanderia) fulva all over the world, their environmental and economic impact, and intended control tactics are documented. Displacement of these invasive species is triggered by human international movement of goods, and in one case, P. fulva, a deliberately introduction as a candidate for biological control of Atta spp. and snakes. These tramp ants displace native ants, attack native birds and reptiles, protect and transport sap sucking insects, cause damage to human commodities, and are able to cause health problems to men and domestic animals. Chemical control, producing negative environmental side effects, has shown poor success and short residual effect. Current tendencies use biological control agents, the natural enemies, parasites, predators and diseases of their original range. Quarantine and eradication programs have been implemented. The success of the tramp ants involves a small size that permits hiding in all types of packing materials, their organization in societies, varied diets, and in many cases to their late detection and initial control.

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Solenopsis invicta(Hymenoptera: Formicidae), DefendPhenacoccus solenopsis(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Against its Natural Enemies

Cited by 27 publications

References 56 publications

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, modifies predation at the soil surface and in cotton foliage

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, modifies predation at the soil surface and in cotton foliage

Invasion biology of the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley: Current knowledge and future directions

Invasions of four South-American tramp ants: a systematic review

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