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Fire Ant Trails: |
June 1999 Vol. II No. 6
Table of Contents
The Next Biennium
House Concurrent Resolution 259
Survey Results: Impact of Red Imported Fire Ants on
Pecan Production
Published Authority for the Scientific Name of the Red
Imported Fire Ant
New Mexico and California Added to USDA Quarantine Map
Is Eradication of Imported Fire Ants Feasible?
The Next Biennium: FY 2000-2001
The second biennium of the 6-year Texas Imported Fire Ant Research
and Management Plan will begin, September 1, 1999. The Request for
Proposals (RFP) for funding projects for FY 2000-2001 has been issued.
The deadline for submitting proposals is July 25, 1999.
In preparation of the next biennium, Representative Tom Ramsay, who is responsible for writing and helping pass the Act (TX94RHB 2341, May 12, 1995), which resulted in the creation and funding of the Texas Fire Ant Plan, was successful again in the approval of House Concurrent Resolution No. 259, below:
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
(H.C.R.) No. 259 - submitted May 10, 1999
WHEREAS, Each year, fire ants cost Texans some $300 million, and it is important for the citizens of this state to be aware of the dangers and damage associated with these insects; and
WHEREAS, It is believed that these creatures originated in South America and arrived in mobile,' Alabama, on ships in the 1930s; the pests quickly spread, reaching Texas in the 1950s, and today the infestation affects some 50 million acres in the eastern two-thirds of our state; and
WHEREAS, Both urban and rural areas suffer the effects of fire ants, as homeowners attempt to control the damage in their lawns and gardens, and farmers and ranchers seek to protect seeds and young plants from being fed on by the ants, while also trying to prevent the costly destruction of electrical and suffer irrigation systems that can be attributed to these pests; and
WHEREAS, Fire ants cause an estimated $67 million in damage annually to the state's beef cattle industry alone; once calves and other animals are attacked, veterinary expenses, decreased animal quality, and even blindness and death may result in some cases; these insects also alter the ecological balance of our state by damaging plants and reducing food sources for native ant species and other insects; and
WHEREAS, To combat this problem, the 75th Texas Legislature funded the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Plan, which calls for a coordinated effort among state agencies to address the fire ant problem through educational and regulatory programs and research; the Agricultural Extension Service, the Department of Agriculture, and the Parks and Wildlife Department have teamed up with scientists from The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Texas Tech University to develop an environmentally sound, cost-effective fire ant management program, and the results of this initiative have been positive to date; and
WHEREAS, Each year, fire ants cost Texans some $300 million, and it is important for the citizens of this state to be aware of the dangers and damage associated with these insects; and
WHEREAS, It is believed that these creatures originated in South America and arrived in Mobile, Alabama, on ships in the 1930s; the pests quickly spread, reaching Texas in the 1950s, and today the infestation affects some 50 million acres in the eastern two-thirds of our state; and
WHEREAS, Both urban and rural areas the effects of fire ants, as homeowners attempt to control the damage in their lawns and gardens, and farmers and ranchers seek to protect seeds and young plants from being fed on by the ants, while also trying to prevent the costly destruction of electrical and irrigation systems that can be attributed to these pests; and
WHEREAS, Fire ants cause an estimated $67 million in damage annually to the state's beef cattle industry alone; once calves and other animals are attacked, veterinary expenses, decreased animal quality, and even blindness and death may result in some cases; these insects also alter the ecological balance of our state by damaging plants and reducing food sources for native ant species and other insects; and
WHEREAS, To combat this problem, the 75th Texas Legislature funded the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Plan, which calls for a coordinated effort among state agencies to address the fire ant problem through educational and regulatory programs and research; the Agricultural Extension Service, the Department of Agriculture, and the Parks and Wildlife Department have teamed up with scientists from The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Texas Tech University to develop an environmentally sound, cost-effective fire ant management program, and the results of this initiative have been positive to date; and
WHEREAS, Urban fire ant management is best undertaken on a community-wide basis, with neighbors working together to help reduce reinvasion of treated areas; late summer through early fall is the ideal time of year to initiate fire ant controls, using least-toxic, slow-acting, bait-formulated products to treat infested areas, thus reducing overuse of more toxic contact insecticides on individual ant mounds; and
WHEREAS, Anyone who has felt the painful sting of a fire ant or witnessed the devastation caused by these relentless pests can understand the need for the fire ant management plan, and it is in the state's best interest to continue to promote greater awareness of the fire ant issue among all residents of this state; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby forevermore declare the second week of September Fire Ant Awareness Week in Texas and encourage the residents of the Lone Star State to educate themselves on the dangers of fire ants and the preventive measures available to combat this insect menace.
Signed by Rick Perry, President
of the Senate, and Pete Laney, Speaker of the House. Approved by Governor George
W. Bush, May 25, 1999.
Survey Results: Impact of Red Imported Fire Ants on Texas Pecan Production - Bill Ree, Extension Agent - Pecan IPM (reprinted from the JANUARY 1999 ISSUE OF "THE PECAN PRESS")
During October 1998, a survey was distributed to pecan producers through the Texas Pecan IPM newsletter which asked for information on the red imported fire ant and its impact on pecan management activities. The survey asked questions concerning orchard size, if and when treatments for ants were applied, type of harvest methods, and a few economic questions on how much was being spent. The survey that was enclosed was similar to the survey distributed through the Texas Pecan IPM newsletter in 1990 so the responses could be compared. The purpose of the survey was to try and gather information on how fire ants are affecting production and what producers are actually doing. This information is important for directing educational programs.
In 1998 approximately 500 surveys were mailed to producers with only 25 or 5 percent being returned . Although the number of returns was less than the 1990 survey (101 of 398 returned) the information is just as important.
Of the 1998 surveys returned, 4 were from commercial producers with less than 10 acres, 12 from producers with 11-50 acres, 1 from a producer with 51-100 acres, one from a producer with 101-250 acres, 3 from producers with >250 acres and 4 returns from homeowners. The 25 surveys returned represented 19 Texas counties and one Arkansas county.
When asked if treatments are made and when are they applied, almost 91 percent of the responses to this question replied that they apply some control all season. In the 1990 survey, 81 percent of the responses indicated some control was applied all season.
When it came to treatments, there were a few differences between the two surveys. In 1990 Amdro® was the product of choice while in 1998, 7 producers indicated they use Orthene® while only 3 used Amdro, 3 used Lorsban® and one response each for malathion, Sevin® and diazinon. From those that applied some treatment ,the majority (8) said they were "somewhat" satisfied with the results while three said they were not satisfied. Only two were very satisfied with the treatments. In the 1990 survey, producers were asked only if they were or were not satisfied and the response was about 50% yes and no.
For costs of treatments, the majority of the responses to this question said they spend $1-$5 per acre to manage fire ants .This was also the same in 1990 .
When asked if it was felt that fire ants hinder and reduce harvest efficiency, 12 respondents said yes and 8 indicated they did not. In 1990, 52% of the respondents thought that fire ants interfered with harvest. Although approximately 50% of the respondents said that orchard workers complain about fire ants only 15% of the respondents indicated that orchard workers took any special means to protect themselves from the ants.
One survey question asked how much would you be willing to spend to control fire ants at harvest in order to protect harvest crews and improve harvest efficiency . The majority of the respondents said they would spend $4 or less. One respondent indicated a willingness to spend $20 per acre if the ants could be controlled. In 1990 the majority of the responses indicated they would spend $5 to $8 per acre to control ants.
When it came to reasons for controlling ants there were (22) responses to this question. The responses were pretty even between the choices of reducing irritation to orchard workers (9), reducing damage to equipment (6) and the concern about the effect of ants on beneficial insects (and wildlife) (7).
When asked to estimate the dollar loss to equipment, irrigation systems, etc as the result of fire ants responses ranged from $0 to over $1000.
In some cases fire ants can be a problem when they enter cracked pecans to feed on the kernel. When asked if this was a problem, 9 (47%) of 19 respondents said yes. In 1990, 46% of the respondents indicated this was a problem. Although kernel feeding by fire ants is recognized as a problem ,it is very difficult to put a dollar loss on this type of damage.
Although the fire ant can play a duel role as both a beneficial (feeding on hickory shuckworm larvae and other caterpillars) and pest in a pecan orchard I have yet to meet anyone that wants them in their orchard. The more information we have on their activity and what producers are actually doing the better we can direct educational programs. I appreciate everyone taking the time to fill out and return the surveys.
Published Authority for
the Scientific Name for the Red Imported Fire Ant
- Sanford D. Porter, USDA, ARS, Gainesville, FL
An official request to conserve the name Solenopsis invicta has been published:
Shattuck, S. O., S. D. Porter, and D. P. Wojcik. 1999. Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972 (Insecta, Hymenoptera): proposed conservation of the specific name. Bull. Zool. Nomen. 56: 27-30.
According to the code, S. invicta is to be used as the scientific name for the red imported fire ant until a ruling is made on this request. For a journal manuscript, a reference that could be used to verify names of ants in Texas is:
Bolton, B. 1995. A new general catalogue the ants of the world. Harvard University Press, 504 p., Cambridge, MA.
-or-
Creighton, W. S. 1950. The ants of North America. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool.Harvard Univ. 104: 1-585, plates 1-57.
Trager, J. C. 1991. A revision of the fire ants, Solenopsis geminata group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae). J. New York Entomol. Soc. 99:141-198.
New Mexico and California Added to USDA Quarantine Map - Anne-Marie A. Callcott, APHIS, PPQ, IFA, Gulfport, MS
The laterst Imported Fire Ant Quarantine map, which includes quarantined counties in New Mexico and California can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/antmap.html (June 17, 1999).
Is Eradication of Imported Fire Ants Feasible? - Homer L. Collins, USDA, APHIS, PPQ, IFA, Gulfport, MS
Definition of Eradication: "The destruction of every individual of a species from an area surrounded by barriers sufficiently effective to prevent re-invasion of the area except through the intervention of man." -- L. D. Newsom, Louisiana State University
Mathematics of IFA Eradication: First, assume an area 5 miles in width by 5 miles in length, (25 square miles) is infested with an average of 40 imported fire ant nests per acre: 25 mi2 × 640 acres per mi2 = 16,000 acres infested. Therefore: 16,000 acres x 40 nests/acre = 640,000 nests, total.
Then, assume an insecticide treatment that provides 90% control with each application:
| Application Number: | Fire Ant Population |
| 0 | 640,000 |
| 1 | 64,000 |
| 2 | 6,400 |
| 3 | 640 |
| 4 | 64 |
| 5 | 6.4 |
| 6 | .64 |
| 7 | .06 |
| 8 | .006 |
Economics of Imported Fire Ant Eradication: Assume a cost of $6.00 per pound for bait, and an application rate of 1.5 lbs bait per acre. Also, assume a cost of $2.50 per acre for application cost and aircraft guidance: $6.00 x 1.5 + $2.50 = $11.50 per acre per application.
Based on earlier calculations, it has been determined that 8 applications will be needed to achieve eradication: $11.50 per acre x 8 applications = $92.00 per acre.
Therefore, to eradicate imported fire ant from the 5 mile x 5 mile area previously described, 16,000 acres x $92.00/acre = $1,472,000, total.
Conclusion: Temporary population suppression is: achievable, practical, affordable and environmentally acceptable. Eradication is not.
Prepared by: Bastiaan "Bart" M. Drees,
Director, Texas Imported Fire Ant Project
Department of Entomology
412 Minnie Belle Heep Bldg.
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas 77843-2475
979/845-5878; FAX: 979/845-7029
b-drees@tamu.edu
http://fireant.tamu.edu
The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service or the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station is implied.
Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.