01967nas a2200169   4500008004100000245017900041210006900220300001200289490000700301520126600308100001701574700001601591700001801607700001801625700001701643856013701660       2003                        eng d00aField releases of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus (Diptera: Phoridae) for control of imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee0 aField releases of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus Dipt  a334-3390 v863 aThe little decapitating fly, Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier, was released at 11 sites in Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee as a potential self-sustaining biocontrol agent of imported fire ants. We used a biotype from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina that parasitizes black fire ants (Solenopsis richteri Forel). Generally, several thousand flies were released as larvae in parasitized ant workers over a 1-2 week period. Pseudacteon curvatus flies were successfully established on hybrid fire ants (Solenopsis invicta x Solenopsis richteri) at a site near Talladega, Alabama where they have persisted more than two years and expanded out 5-20 km from the original release site. Flies failed to establish in Florida and Tennessee although a few 1st-generation field-reared flies were recovered at four sites in Florida. This fly is only the second parasitoid species to be successfully released against imported fire ants or any other pest ant species. Possible reasons for failures at the other sites include insufficient vegetation cover, competition with another Pseudacteon species in Florida, severe winter kill of ants at a site in Tennessee, and the possibility that the biotype of P. curvatus released was not a viable parasitoid of red imported fire ants.1 aGraham, L.C.1 aPorter, S D1 aPereira, R.M.1 aDorough, H.D.1 aKelley, A.T.  uhttps://antkey.myspecies.info/en/content/field-releases-decapitating-fly-pseudacteon-curvatus-diptera-phoridae-control-imported-fire02029nas a2200157   4500008004100000245014800041210006900189260000900258300001200267490000700279520139800286100001801684700001801702700001601720856013501736       2005                        eng d00aEradication of the little fire ant; Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), from Marchena Island, Galápagos: on the edge of success?0 aEradication of the little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata Hymeno  cJune  a159-1680 v883 aThe development of effective techniques to eradicate populations of invasive ant species is crucial to the conservation of native biodiversity. An intensive program was initiated in 2001 to eradicate the invasive little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) from ~21 ha on Marchena Island in the Galápagos Archipelago. Linear transects, approximately 10 m apart, were cut through the vegetation of the infested area and a buffer zone of 6 ha. Amdro® (Hydramethylnon) was applied manually up to three times in the treatment area at three-month intervals between March and October 2001. To date, five follow-up monitoring surveys have placed sticks painted with peanut butter in a grid 3-4 m apart. Two small populations (0.1% of the area originally occupied by W. auropunctata) were detected in April and October 2002 and were subsequently treated with Amdro®. No W. auropunctata ants were found in May 2003 and April 2004. Five nocturnal surveys carried out in the immediate area of introduction of W. auropunctata did not detect any individuals. Monitoring surveys will continue for an additional two years to ensure eradication of any remaining populations and verify the success of this program. This paper discusses the procedures used to kill W. auropunctata and monitor the efficacy of the eradication methods, the program's costs, and its applicability to other island ecosystems.1 aCauston, C.E.1 aSevilla, C.R.1 aPorter, S D  uhttps://antkey.myspecies.info/en/content/eradication-little-fire-ant-wasmannia-auropunctata-hymenoptera-formicidae-marchena-island