I. Imported Fire Ants in the U.S.

History and Program Overview

Based on a Presentation byBased on a Presentation byDavid F. WilliamsDavid F. Williams

Department of Entomology & Department of Entomology & NematologyNematology

University of FloridaUniversity of Florida

A Teaching Module for Master Gardener Training

Where are imported fire ants from?

Where are they found in the US?

History of Imported Fire Ants

1918: estimated introductions occurred of black 1918: estimated introductions occurred of black imported fire ant (imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteriSolenopsis richteri))

First introduced in Mobile, AlabamaFirst introduced in Mobile, Alabama Red imported fire ant (Red imported fire ant (S. invictaS. invicta) followed in the ) followed in the

early 1930’searly 1930’s The two species have hybridizedThe two species have hybridized Imported fire ants currently infest 330 million Imported fire ants currently infest 330 million

acres in the U.S.acres in the U.S. No natural enemies native to U.S.No natural enemies native to U.S.

History of Imported Fire Ants, Cont.

IFA are the most IFA are the most destructive and destructive and costly ants in the U.S.costly ants in the U.S.

IFA thrive in IFA thrive in disturbed habitats, disturbed habitats, natural or man-made natural or man-made disturbancesdisturbances

IFA continue to IFA continue to expand in the U.S. expand in the U.S. and their final range and their final range has yet to be reachedhas yet to be reached

Acknowledgments for their contributions to the original

presentation

• Anne-Marie Callcot, USDA-APHIS• David Oi, USDA-ARS• Roberto Pereira, USDA-ARS• Sanford Porter, USDA-ARS• Bart Drees, Texas A&M University• Walter Tschinkel, Florida State University – his book The Fire Ants, Spring 2006• Fudd Graham, Auburn University

For more information, visit eXtension at

http://www.extension.org/fire+ants

Publications, slide sets, streaming video, posters, and more…

AcknowledgmentsThanks to the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research &

Management Plan, Texas A&M University System, for the use of many of the images seen in this presentation.

Portions of this presentation were made possible by a grant from the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture

Research and Education Professional Development Program.

Authors:- Kerry Smith – Alabama Cooperative Extension System- Molly Keck – Texas AgriLife Extension Service- Bart Drees – Texas AgriLife Extension Service- David Williams – University of Florida- Ken and Rufina Ward, Alabama A&M University

Acknowledgments

Reviewers:

- Dale Pollet – Louisiana State University AgCenter

- Karen Vail, University of Tennessee

- Chazz Hesselein, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

- Kathy Flanders, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Editor, Technical Facilitator: - Neal Lee