Sticky Traps for Monitoring Pseudacteon Parasitoids of Solenopsis Fire Ants

Puckett, Robert T.; Calixto, Alejandro A.; Barr, C.; Harris, Marvin K.

doi:10.1093/ee/36.3.584

Cited by 15 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Techniques used in the study of Pseudacteon associated with Solenopsis fire ants may help in documenting the distribution of other species, as well as uncovering other Pseudacteon host interactions. Using chemical cues, including the presentation of dead ants (Smith and Gilbert 2003), or aroused live hosts (Orr et al 2003; Barr and Calixto 2005), and especially the use of sticky traps (LeBrun et al in press ; Puckett et al 2007), have proven useful in documenting the presence of these flies at low densities and could be manipulated to search for taxa associated with other ants. While many of these flies could easily be seen as rare and localized based on our current understanding, these components of rarity are related to collecting effort and the quality of visualizing methods (Carles-Tolrá 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distributional Patterns ofPseudacteonAssociated with theSolenopsis saevissimaComplex in South America

Patrock

Porter

Gilbert

et al. 2009

Journal of Insect Science

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Classical biological control efforts against imported fire ants have largely involved the use of Pseudacteon parasitoids. To facilitate further exploration for species and population biotypes a database of collection records for Pseudacteon species was organized, including those from the literature and other sources. These data were then used to map the geographical ranges of species associated with the imported fire ants in their native range in South America. In addition, we found geographical range metrics for all species in the genus and related these metrics to latitude and host use. Approximately equal numbers of Pseudacteon species were found in temperate and tropical regions, though the majority of taxa found only in temperate areas were found in the Northern Hemisphere. No significant differences in sizes of geographical ranges were found between Pseudacteon associated with the different host complexes of fire ants despite the much larger and systemic collection effort associated with the S. saevissima host group. The geographical range of the flies was loosely associated with both the number of hosts and the geographical range of their hosts. Pseudacteon with the most extensive ranges had either multiple hosts or hosts with broad distributions. Mean species richnesses of Pseudacteon in locality species assemblages associated with S. saevissima complex ants was 2.8 species, but intensively sampled locations were usually much higher. Possible factors are discussed related to variation in the size of geographical range, and areas in southern South America are outlined that are likely to have been under-explored for Pseudacteon associated with imported fire ants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distributional Patterns ofPseudacteonAssociated with theSolenopsis saevissimaComplex in South America

Patrock

Porter

Gilbert

et al. 2009

Journal of Insect Science

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“…For example, the recently described phorid ßy sticky trap (Puckett et al 2007) could be a valuable apparatus in future Pseudacteon dispersal studies to ascertain dispersal patterns, long-distance dispersal events and to model dispersal kernels of these parasitoids (LeBrun et al 2008). Additionally, the putative role of wind in transporting P. tricuspis long distances should be tested experimentally.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short-Term Population Redistribution ofPseudacteon tricuspis(Diptera: Phoridae) From Point Source Releases

Henne¹,

Johnson²

2011

Environ Entomol

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There is a need for quantitative data on patterns and rates of movement of organisms to understand their movement behavior and predict their rates of spread. Opportunities for studying movement of biological control agents are presented during release programs. However, despite these opportunities, patterns and range of dispersal are often not considered. For example, information about effects of wind on dispersal patterns and heterogeneities in rates of movement is critical to predicting future range expansion of biological control agents and determining proximity of multiple releases. Here, the pattern and range of movement of a fire ant parasitoid, Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, was investigated by performing a series of mass-release-resighting experiments. Flies were released at a central location surrounded by radial transects containing trays of host ants at variable distances along four axes. Resighted flies were censused at these trays at 30 min intervals, up to 2 h postrelease. The dispersal pattern of P. tricuspis in the short term was consistent with a simple diffusion model. On average, 50% of P. tricuspis dispersed ≤10 m, and 95% dispersed ≤29 m. Diffusion rates were variable, depending on release densities, but tended to decline over time after release. Drift of dispersing flies was detected in several trials, and was attributed to prevailing wind dynamics. Data from this assessment of the short term redistribution pattern of P. tricuspis could be useful in determining proximity of releases of this, and other fire ant parasitoids.

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“…Five PTS-Traps (Puckett et al 2007) were deployed for the duration of each sampling period to monitor phorid activity at 10-m increments along a transect that ran parallel to, and 50 m from hot-dog bait transects (described below). These traps exploit both the host searching and perching behaviors of phorids to attract them to Þre ant midden (dead workers) and then ensnare responding ßies on Tanglefoot-coated prongs.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phorid Flies,Pseudacteonspp. (Diptera: Phoridae), Affect Forager Size Ratios of Red Imported Fire AntsSolenopsis invicta(Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Texas

Puckett

Harris

2010

Environ Entomol

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Multiple species of Pseudacteon phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae) are currently being released throughout the southern United States to aid biological control of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). It is anticipated that these flies will interfere with S. invicta foraging, allowing native ant assemblages to outcompete S. invicta for available resources. Numerous studies have shown a decrease in S. invicta foraging intensity when exposed to phorids. This study documents a behavioral change in phorid-exposed S. invicta colonies at a phorid release site in central Texas. Significant differences in forager size ratios were detected between phorid-exposed and phorid-absent colonies. A similar phenomenon was recently documented in the native range of these insects in South America as well. Experimental manipulation of ratios of S. invicta worker sizes has been shown to have important effects on colony success. This newly documented phorid-mediated S. invicta colony-level effect represents a significant shift in S. invicta foraging dynamics and may provide an additional mechanism by which phorids can influence S. invicta populations in their United States range.

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Sticky Traps for Monitoring Pseudacteon Parasitoids of Solenopsis Fire Ants

Cited by 15 publications

References 9 publications

Distributional Patterns ofPseudacteonAssociated with theSolenopsis saevissimaComplex in South America

Distributional Patterns ofPseudacteonAssociated with theSolenopsis saevissimaComplex in South America

Short-Term Population Redistribution ofPseudacteon tricuspis(Diptera: Phoridae) From Point Source Releases

Phorid Flies,Pseudacteonspp. (Diptera: Phoridae), Affect Forager Size Ratios of Red Imported Fire AntsSolenopsis invicta(Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Texas

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