Pseudacteon decapitating flies (Diptera: Phoridae): Are they potential vectors of the fire ant pathogens Kneallhazia (=Thelohania) solenopsae (Microsporidia: Thelohaniidae) and Vairimorpha invictae (Microsporidia: Burenellidae)?

Kneallhazia(=Thelohania)SolenopsaeInfection Rate ofPseudacteon curvatusFlies Determined by Multiplex PCR

“…Because K. solenopsae was detected in several Pseudacteon species present in the USA (Oi et al 2008), our original intention was to examine the infection rate of K. solenopsae in all Pseudacteon species collected from the field in north-central Florida. Unfortunately, the combination of a low infection rate of K. solenopsae and the displacement of other Pseudacteon species previously present in this area of Florida by P. curvatus (SDP, unpublished) forced us to change our objective to determine the K. solenopsae infection rate in P. curvatus only.…”

“…Kneallhazia solenopsae appears limited to mostly polygyne S. invicta colonies in the USA, but is found in monogyne and polygyne colonies equally in South America where it is native (Oi et al 2004;Valles & Briano 2004;Milks et al 2008). Lack of an intermediate host has been proposed to explain the social form limitation (greater K. solenopsae infection in polygyne colonies) of K. solenopsae infections in North America (Oi et al 2008). Recently Oi et al (2008) reported the presence of K. solenopsae in several Pseudacteon decapitating fly species (obtusus, cultellatus and curvatus) suggesting that these endoparasitic flies may play a role in the life cycle or transmission of the microsporidian to fire ants.…”

“…Lack of an intermediate host has been proposed to explain the social form limitation (greater K. solenopsae infection in polygyne colonies) of K. solenopsae infections in North America (Oi et al 2008). Recently Oi et al (2008) reported the presence of K. solenopsae in several Pseudacteon decapitating fly species (obtusus, cultellatus and curvatus) suggesting that these endoparasitic flies may play a role in the life cycle or transmission of the microsporidian to fire ants.…”

Introduction of the fire ant decapitating fly Pseudacteon obtusus in the United States: factors influencing establishment in Texas

“…The introduction of Pseudacteon parasitoid flies from South America is part of a wide effort to establish self-sustaining biocontrol agents including parasitoids and pathogens against fire ants, and thereby dampen their impacts. There are several pathways by which phorid flies may impact fire ant populations including direct mortality of workers (typically less than 1% parasitism rates within colonies) (Morrison and Porter 2005a), reduction of foraging efficiency of workers (Feener and Brown 1992), and as possible vectors of pathogens (Oi et al 2009). The impact of phorid flies on the foraging efficiency of S. invicta is likely to be dependent on several factors such as the community of competing ants, resource availability and environmental conditions (Feener et al 2008).…”

Identification of Bacterial Species in the Hemolymph of QueenSolenopsis invicta(Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

“…The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren; Hymenoptera: Formicidae) has aggressively invaded ~138 million ha in the USA and causes over $6 billion in damage and control efforts annually (Valles 2011). Myriad research studies have been conducted to discover safe biological control agents to manage these invasive pests (Valles et al 2004;Milks et al 2008;Oi et al 2009;Yang et al 2009;Wang et al 2010;Callcott et al 2011;Porter et al 2011;Tufts et al 2011). Viruses may be lethal due to modifications of cellular processes and induction of defense responses or may produce distinct survival outcomes depending on species (i.e.…”