Project Number: 0500-00044-017-10
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 12, 2007
End Date: Sep 30, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to 1)maintain low fire ant populations in South Carolina with reduced need for bait toxicants by using available self-sustaining fire ant biological control agents in conjunction with bait toxicants.

Approach:
1. Assess and monitor fire ant populations and the benefits of fire ant control in the selected field sites in South Carolina; 2. Inoculate the microsporidian pathogen, Thelohania solenopsae, and monitor the success of the introduced microsporidain pathogen in the South Carolina sites; 3. Release the phorid fly parasites, and monitor the success of the introduced parasites in the South Carolina sites; 4. Provide necessary information and/or facilitate access of personnel designated by ARS to field sites and information to be used in the educational and technology transfer activities related to the areawide suppression of fire ants using toxic baits and biological control agents; 5. Establish 3 small demonstration sites in "high valuse" properties within areas with fire ant biocontrol agents, monitor fire ant populations using hotdog bait methodology at 6-8 week intervals, make formicide application when necessary, and provide a semi-annual written report to USDA project coordinating team.