Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects : Activities

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News and Events from 2009

ARS Scientist to review Australian Fire Ant Eradication Program

Robert Vander Meer

ARS scientist receives CSREES grant

DeWayne Shoemaker

Solenopsis invicta

ARS scientist attends ant genomics workshop

DeWayne Shoemaker

News and Events from 2008

ARS scientists discuss red imported fire ants with Chinese quarantine experts December 10-11, Robert Vander Meer Research Leader, Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, and Unit scientists met with USDA/APHIS officials and four visiting Chinese officials from the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). The objective of the visit, organized by APHIS, was to learn more about how we are dealing with fire ants in the United States relative to quarantine issues, control, and monitoring/surveillance methods. This information can be applied to the existing fire ant infestation in China and provide ideas as to how to better prevent additional incursions of imported fire ants. Transfer of recent ARS fire ant research and direct discussions of the needs and concerns regarding imported fire ants in China may facilitate future collaborations and mutual knowledge transfer.

Left to right: Callcott-APHIS; Porter-ARS; Oi-ARS; Shoemaker-ARS; Ascunce-ARS; Doajian-AQSIQ; Werner-APHIS; Ke-AQSIQ; Vander Meer-ARS; Wei-APHIS; Brown-APHIS; Ying-AQSIQ; Tianrong-AQSIQ
ARS scientists attend national entomology meeting in Reno, Nevada.
On November 16-19, research entomologists Sanford Porter, DeWayne Shoemaker, and postdoctoral associate Marina Ascunce from the ARS Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), Gainesville, FL attended the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America in Reno, Nevada. Each scientist presented a scientific paper about recent research with fire ants. Future research plans were also discussed and coordinated with colleagues from around the nation.
Chemist describes fire ant chemical ecology at the University of Mississippi.
On November 7, research leader Bob Vander Meer, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, presented a seminar to the Center for Water and Wetland Resources and the Biology Department at the University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS. Vander Meer visited with faculty and students, participated in a research discussion group, and gave a seminar on the practical aspects of fire ant chemical ecology. The visit promoted dissemination of information and development of collaborations with the University of Mississippi and the ARS National Center for Natural Products Research, Oxford.
Scientist hosts New Zealand researchers to improve fire ant surveillance.
During October 15 - November 17th, Research Leader, Bob Vander Meer, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville Florida, is hosting two New Zealand researchers from the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd, New Zealand. New Zealand has had several fire ant incursions that have been eradicated after discovery. The visit to ARS Gainesville is part of a Biosecurity, New Zealand contract aimed at testing a new surveillance protocol for the red imported fire ant that may result in earlier discovery of future accidental incursions.
ARS laboratory donates fire ant bait to Alachua County, FL Parks.
On October 30th, the ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, donated excess fire ant bait to the Alachua County FL Parks system. The Alachua County Parks system participated in the ARS Unit's Headquarter's funded Areawide Project that focused on demonstrating and transferring Project developed integrated fire ant management strategies to high value/human impact locations. The donation of fire ant bait will facilitate the continuation of the Project's objectives beyond the formal life of the Project.
Scientist discusses fire ant biocontrol research at national turfgrass workshop.
Research entomologist, David Oi, of the ARS Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, presented an overview of the unit's biocontrol research on fire ants at the 2008 National Turfgrass Entomology Workshop held in Gainesville, Florida on October 27. University and industry researchers and extension specialists from over 20 institutions across the U.S and Canada discussed turfgrass entomology research and priorities of the turfgrass industry at this workshop.
Scientist presents fire ant IPM research to pest management professionals.
On October 9, Research Entomologist, David Oi, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville Florida, gave a presentation at the Georgia Pest Control Association's South Georgia Conference in Tifton, GA. Oi discussed fire ant integrated pest management and its implications for the management of other invasive ants that currently plague some regions of the U.S. The presentation may generate ideas for improving control methods of invasive ants that often confront the pest control industry.
Taskforce evaluates new invasive ant in Houston.
On October 9, entomologist Sanford Porter, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville Florida, at the request of USDA-APHIS, attended a taskforce meeting near Houston, TX to discuss a coordinated response to a new invasive ant in Houston and the surrounding counties. The taskforce also included representatives from the State of Texas, Texas universities, state extension, the nursery industry, and pest control operators. Meeting representatives visited local infestations of the Rasberry Crazy Ant (Paratrechina sp. Nr. pubens) and outlined a coordinated plan of action for this pest.
Scientist interacts with Hawaii stakeholders on invasive ants.
On August 4 -August 8, Research Leader, Bob Vander Meer, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville Florida, visited with University of Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, APHIS and ARS, U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center personnel. Vander Meer gave presentations for Aphis and HDOA, the University of Hawaii, and ARS-PBARC, regarding the red imported fire ant's impact, control and chemical ecology. The objective of the visit was to better understand the quarantine procedures in place to prevent the establishment of the fire ant and determine what researchable areas could provide additional tools to keep this invasive ant out of Hawaii. In addition, Vander Meer visited sites where invasive Argentine ants and little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) had become established in order to observe the special control difficulties associated with these pest ant species and how they affect commodities, such as coffee, fruit, and plant nurseries. The visit will promote development of collaborations with APHIS, HDOA, U of HI, and ARS-PBARC, to apply the Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit's extensive knowledge to other invasive ant species.
ARS scientist discusses threat of red imported fire ants in the Japan.
On March 14-17, research entomologist Sanford Porter, ARS Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), Gainesville, FL attended the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of Japan in Fukuoka, Japan. He presented a 45-minute invited lecture, "The Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta: A Threat to the Ecology and People of Japan?" Dr. Porter also attended a Red Imported Fire Ant Workshop in Tokyo sponsored by the Wildlife Division of the Nature Conservation Bureau of Japan. The objective of this trip was to help Japanese ecologists and conservationists to prepare for future invasions of this pest and to foster communication.
Australian, Taiwanese scientists visit ARS fire ant unit.
On February 13, entomologist DeWayne Shoemaker, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, hosted researchers Chin-Cheng Yang of National Taiwan University and Jane Oakey of Biosecurity Queensland for the month of February. The scientists visited the Gainesville laboratory for training in fragment analysis and microsatellite genotyping of fire ants. This training was part of an international collaborative project aimed at reconstructing the global invasion history of fire ants, knowledge of which is crucial for fire ant population suppression programs.

News and Events from 2007

ARS entomologists discuss red imported fire ants at meetings in Taiwan.
On November 10-16, research entomologists David Oi and Sanford Porter, Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, attended two scientific conferences in Taiwan. On November 10, at the Symposium on the Vision of Taiwan Plant Protection Development in Taichung, Porter presented a paper entitled "Biological Control of Fire Ants" and Oi presented a paper entitled "Area-wide Suppression of Fire Ants." On November 14, at the 19th Convention of the Federation of Asian & Oceania Pest Managers Associations in Taipei, Oi spoke about "The Evolution of Fire Ant Control" and Porter spoke about "The Biology, Ecology, and Impacts of Invading Fire Ants." Australia and Taiwan have already been invaded by the fire ant and other countries will probably have to deal with the fire ant in the next decade.
Report on fire ant research at a conference in Japan
On September 13, research leader Robert Vander Meer, ARS Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, will make a presentation at the Fourth Asia-Pacific Conference on Chemical Ecology, in Tsukuba, Japan. He will discuss the physiological and behavioral effects of a fire ant queen-produced primer pheromone. During the trip, he will also give a general presentation on fire ants to the Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan. The presentations provide the opportunity to interact with Pacific Rim and Japanese scientists regarding the fire ant problem. Australia and Taiwan have already been invaded by the fire ant, and other countries will likely have to deal with this invasive pest in the next decade.
Entomologist discusses fire ant pathogen research at meeting
On August 12-16, entomologist David Oi, Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, attended the annual meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, in Quebec City, Canada. He presented a paper on a fire ant pathogen and lead the society's Microsporida Division workshop.
Entomologist discusses red fire ant's impact in Japan
On August 3-6, entomologist Sanford Porter, ARS Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, attended the annual meeting of the Myrmecological Society of Japan, at Ryukyu University, Okinawa, Japan. He presented a paper on "The Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta: What Japanese Myrmecologists Need to Know about This Invasive Pest." The objective was to help Japanese experts prepare for future invasions of this pest from the United States or other Pacific Rim nations.
Scientist Participates in International Pest Ant Conference:
May 22-25, research entomologist Sanford Porter, ARS Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit at the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology Research Center in Gainesville, FL will attend the International Pacific Invasive Ant Conference in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. He will present a paper entitled "Biology of phorid decapitating flies and their release as fire ant biocontrol agents". He will also chair a breakout session on imported fire ants. The meeting will be attended by researchers, agricultural agents, and government officials from more than ten countries concerned about the threat of invasive ants in Pacific and Pacific Rim nations and territories. The meeting is sponsored by USDA APHIS PPQ and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
CMAVE hosts Florida A&M University Science Center of Excellence visit:
On May 8, 2007, Florida A&M University's Science Center of Excellence (FAMU SCE) Scientists and students visited the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), Gainesville, FL. Dr. Stephen Leong, Director and Professor, Center for Viticulture (FAMU) and Robert Vander Meer, Research Leader, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit (CMAVE) and members of the FAMU SCE Steering Committee, organized the visit. Attending were Dr. Karl Narang, Associate Area Director, USDA-ARS, SAA, Dr. Calvin E. Arnold, Lab Director, USHL, Dr. Samuel Donald, FAMU SCE Program Director and Acting Dean of College of Engineering Science, Technology, and Agriculture, FAMU, Mr. Wayne Walker, Associate Director Research Programs and Services, FAMU, Dr. Kenneth Linthicum, Center Director, CMAVE, as well as CMAVE scientists, nine FAMU Research Scientists, and five graduate students. The objective of the visit was to familiarize CMAVE scientists with FAMU SCE activities/capabilities and introduce FAMU scientists with research activities carried out by the four Research Units at CMAVE. This was achieved through FAMU research seminars and tours of each of CMAVE's Research Units. FAMU is an 1890's Land Grant University.
Fire Ant Unit hosts annual conference:
On April 23-25, members of the Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit (IFAHIRU), ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, hosted the annual Fire Ant Conference in Gainesville, FL. More than 150 people attended. The conference program included the basic biology and ecology of fire ants, biological control, management and other topics. IFAHIRU scientists made several presentations at the conference, which also provides a forum for exchange of information and development of collaborations.

News and Events from 2006

2006 Quail Management Workshop:
On October 5, 2006, Robert Vander Meer, Research Leader and David Oi, Research Entomologist, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), Gainesville, FL were invited to speak at the second Quail Management Short Course held at various field locations near Monticello, Florida. Vander Meer gave background information on fire ants that led into Oi's discussion of one of our areawide high-value demonstration projects aimed at reduction of fire ant predation on quail hatchlings. The purpose of the conference was to bring in experts on Quail habitat and predator management to discuss the latest management techniques and research to optimize quail numbers in these high value and large acreage operations. Over 150 Extension agents, Researchers, and customers gathered from all over Florida to participate in this Workshop.
Meeting on Areawide Control of Fire Ants:
On October 3, 2006, the Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit (IFAHI) of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), Gainesville, FL hosted a semi-annual meeting for the Headquarters funded project on Areawide Suppression of Fire Ants in Pastures. Present at the meeting were IFAHI scientists, state cooperators from Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Carolina and Florida, as well as landowners and other customers. Bob Faust, retired National Program Leader in charge of areawide projects, participated in the meeting via conference call and notably congratulated the team on being selected for an ARS Superior Technology Transfer Award for 2006. During the meeting, participants were updated on the status of the areawide large area demonstration sites, as well as smaller high value sites, and the Educational, Research, Environmental, and Economic assessment components of the Program.
2006 ARS Technology Transfer Award - Superior Efforts
On September 18, ARS awarded Superior Efforts to the Area-Wide Suppression of Fire Ant Populations in Pastures Team for outstanding effort and creativity in area-wide suppression of imported fire ants and providing the basis for integrated management of this invasive species. The purpose of this awards program is to annually recognize individuals/groups who have done outstanding work in transferring technology to users outside ARS. The technology or product developed must be commercially available, or must be adopted and widely used by farmers, consumers, or other ARS customers. Team members included: Richard Brenner, Anne-Marie Callcott, Bastiaan Drees, Robert M. Faust, Paul Horton, Phil Koehler, Curtis Lard, David Oi, Roberto Pereira, Sanford Porter, Doug Streett, Steven Valles, Robert Vander Meer, David Williams, and Russell Wright.
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Scientist Hosts Israeli Scientist:
From August 5th to the 15th Robert Vander Meer, Research Chemist and Research Leader, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, hosted Professor Abraham Hefetz, Chair, Zoology Department, University of Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. Professor Hefetz and Dr. Vander Meer discussed results and planned future activities related to a currently funded United States-Israel Bi-national Science Foundation Grant. In addition, they prepared a draft grant proposal for submission to United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development grant proposal. The research centers on invasive pest ant species.
Social Insect Congress Features ARS Scientists:
On July 30-August 5, DeWayne Shoemaker and Sanford Porter, entomologists; and Robert Vander Meer, chemist and research leader, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, led symposia at the XVth Congress of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects, in Washington, DC. Held every 4 years, the congress includes scientists from about 40 countries who are involved in research on bees, ants, wasps, and termites. Vander Meer and Porter helped plan the congress and led symposia on semiochemicals of social insects (Vander Meer) and on invasive ants (Porter).
IFAHI Scientist To Advise Australians on Fire Ant Eradication:
On June 9-24, Sanford D. Porter, entomologist, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, will meet with authorities in the Fire Ant Control Centre and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in Brisbane. They will discuss ongoing and future efforts to eradicate invasive red fire ant infestations in Australia. Porter was asked to evaluate the success of the $115 million Australian program because of his involvement with the initial planning five years ago.
IFAHI Scientists Host Chinese and Taiwanese Scientists:
On March 23-24, scientists in the Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, hosted one scientist from China and four from Taiwan. Fire ants have now invaded Taiwan and China, causing significant problems there. The ARS scientists discussed research and exchanged information that would be useful to the visitors in addressing their invasive fire ant problems.
Ant-Control Symposium:
On February 23-24, Robert Vander Meer, chemist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, led a symposium on controlling sugar-feeding ants, which pose serious problems to many crops, including citrus fruits and grapes. Held in Visalia, CA, the symposium was organized by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and hosted in part by the Citrus Research Board, the California Table Grape Commission, and the California Association of Wine Grape Growers. An action plan was developed for identifying research needs and active-ingredient registration requirements and issues.
Discussions on Microbial Control of Arthropod Pests:
On February 12-13, entomologists David Oi, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit, and James Becnel and Roberto Pereira, Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, participated in a meeting of the S-1024 Multistate Research Project: Discovery of Entomopathogens and Their Integration and Safety in Pest Management Systems, in Savannah, GA. The ARS scientists participated in discussions on the microbial control of fire ants, mosquitoes, flies, and other pests in urban, agricultural, and natural landscape systems.
Florida State Fair

The IFAHI research unit provided an exhibit and fielded questions from spectators at the Florida State Fair in Tampa, February 9-22. Visual aides included a live demonstration of phorid flies attacking fire ants.

News and Events from 2005

IFAHI Hosts Fire Ant Meeting
On October 4, 2005, researchers involved in ARS' Areawide Suppression of Fire Ants in Pastures Program met at the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), Gainesville, FL, for a semiannual discussion on the project's progress and new directions. Those attending included research and Extension personnel from Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Florida. (Meeting Agenda - pdf version)
Florida State Fair in Tampa

The IFAHI research unit provided an exhibit and fielded questions from spectators at the Florida State Fair in Tampa, February 10-21. Visual aides included a live demonstration of phorid flies attacking fire ants.

News and Events from 2004

IFAHI Hosts Meeting on Areawide Control of Fireants:
On November 30, the ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit (IFAHI) hosted, in Gainesville, FL, the semiannual meeting of the Areawide Fire Ant Suppression project. Attendees included Ron Rosenberg, ARS national program leader for medical and veterinary entomology, Beltsville, MD; Ken Linthicum, director, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville; Steve Edney, administrative officer representing Darrell Cole, area director, ARS South Atlantic Area, Athens, GA; IFAHI scientist cooperators from Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Florida; farmer/rancher cooperators; and stakeholders and other invited guests. Bob Faust, ARS national program leader for field and horticultural crop entomology (in charge of areawide research projects), Beltsville, participated by conference call and Internet-based presentations. During the meeting, participants were updated on the status of the areawide demonstration sites, educational and research efforts, and environmental and economic assessments. Changes in protocol and technology transfer were major topics of discussion.
Dr. Robert Vander Meer is the new Research Leader for the IFAHI unit (October):
Dr. Vander Meer came to the USDA, Imported Fire Ant Unit, in November 1977 from a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University. Prior to that he received his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from The Pennsylvania State University and spent four years in the Peace Corps. During the past 22 years with the USDA Dr. Vander Meer has distinguished himself in the area of chemical ecology, especially as related to fire ants. He has co-edited three books; the latest, "Pheromone Communication in Social Insects", was published in 1998. Dr. Vander Meer has over 140 publications and is a co-inventor on seven patents, one of which is a major source of revenue for the Office of Technology Transfer. He currently has a USDA National Research Initiative Grant and an Israel - United States National Science Foundation Grant. He served on detail as Acting National Program Leader and is currently serving on the FAMU Science Center Steering Committee.
Fire Ant Workshop in Australia:
On August 23-24, Robert Vander Meer, chemist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, attended the 2004 Imported Fire Ant Workshop in Brisbane, Australia. His presentation, called "Finishing the Job: The Final Stages of an Eradication Program," covered fire ant pheromone research and use of attractants in eradication and control of the Brisbane fire ant infestation.
IFAHI Confirms Establishment of Second Phorid Fly in Florida:
On March 31, Sanford Porter, entomologist, ARS Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, confirmed that a second phorid fly (Pseudacteon curvatus) has become established by overwintering and is growing in numbers. The flies were collected by Porter and Juan Briano, director, ARS South American Biological Control Laboratory, Hurlingham, Argentina, in October 2001. P. curvatus was field-released near Gainesville in March 2003, as part of an ARS areawide fire ant control program. It is the smallest of the phorid flies collected and is thus able to parasitize the smallest fire ant workers. The workers are the most abundant inhabitants of a fire ant colony.
Fire Ant Research Conference:
On March 21-23, Sanford Porter, David Oi, Steve Valles, and Roberto Pereira, entomologists, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit (IFAHI), Gainesville, FL, attended the 2004 Fire Ant Research Conference in Baton Rouge, LA. They presented information on the discovery of new fire ant viruses, the first infection of red imported fire ants in quarantine with the Argentine fire ant pathogen Vairimorpha invictae, and three new decapitating flies that are being evaluated for release as fire ant biocontrol agents. Prior to the conference, IFAHI scientists and collaborators from Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Florida, and South Carolina held the semiannual technical committee meeting of the Areawide Suppression of Fire Ant Populations in Pastures project. State cooperators reported on demonstration site activities, and ARS scientists discussed plans for biological control agent releases.

News and Events from 2003

IFAHI Hosts Fire Ant Meeting:
On September 9, researchers involved in ARS' Areawide Suppression of Fire Ants in Pastures Program met at the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), Gainesville, FL, for a semiannual discussion on the project's progress and new directions. Those attending included research and Extension personnel from Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Florida. In addition, several farmers, Extension agents, state regulatory, and military personnel involved in the program gave their input on the impact of fire ants on their operations and activities, research needs, and the future of areawide demonstration projects. The outcome of this open discussion between ARS researchers, cooperators, customers, and stakeholders will assist in focusing the research in ARS' Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit at Gainesville.
Dave Barry Column:
On May 4, Dave Barry wrote about his experience with fire ants and recent efforts to use phorid flies for biological control. Read Dave's column at the Miami Herald web site.
Fire Ant Repellents Used to Protect Endangered Birds:
On April 17, Robert Vander Meer, chemist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, along with research partner BioGuard R&D and U.S. Army personnel, conducted an experiment at Ft. Hood, TX, with controlled-release fire ant repellents. The black-capped vireo, an endangered bird species, nests close to the ground, and its nestlings are attacked by fire ants. The slow-release fire ant repellent formulations will be used under the nesting site to keep the ants at bay until the young birds can fend for themselves.
Congressman Visits IFAHI Research Unit:

On March 3 and 4, Congressman Boyd (FL) toured the Center facilities and met with IFAHI scientists and customer groups to discuss research programs.
Florida State Fair in Tampa:
The IFAHI research unit provided an exhibit and fielded questions from spectators at the Florida State Fair in Tampa, February 6-17. Visual aides included a live demonstration of phorid flies attacking fire ants.
National Fire Ant and Termite Research Program Review:
Participants reviewed progress in the control of fire ants and subterranean termites, two invasive species that cost southern growers more than $4 billion annually. Stakeholder comments and needs provided guidance in developing the next 5-year research plan, scheduled to begin in 2004. The meeting was February 11-12 in New Orleans, LA.
Annual Department of Defense (DOD) Research Review:
On January 28-30, at the National Wildlife Research Center, Ft. Collins, CO, IFAHI scientists presented research on invasive species to the Armed Forces Pest Management Board. The cooperative relationship between ARS and DOD began during World War II and provides a forum for discussing DOD research needs for protecting U.S. armed forces and how ARS can contribute.