Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects : Media Events

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Media Events for 2009

ARS CRADA partner interviewed about mosquito and fire ant repellents
Agricultural Research Magazine: When the ants come marching one by one
Entomologist David Oi at our ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE) in Gainesville, Fla., has joined forces with fellow entomologists Sanford Porter and Steven Valles at CMAVE, and Juan Briano and Luis Calcaterra of our ARS South American Biological Control Laboratory in Hurlingham, Argentina, to give red imported fire ants some nasty surprises. July 10. Read the entire story...

Media Events for 2008

ABC News cites ARS fire ant study in blog
On August 5, it was reported that fire ant research by entomologist DeWayne Shoemaker, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, was featured recently on the ABC News blog "Science and Society." ABC's interest stemmed from the July 30 ARS News Service item "Nine to 20 Individual Fire Ant Queens Started U.S. Fire Ant Population." The blog link is: http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsociety/.
The Charlotte Sun, for information on fire ant research
On July 29, reporter Neil Hughes from the Charlotte Sun, in Florida, contacted entomologist David Oi, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, for information on biological control of fire ants, as part of a series on invasive species. Hughes was particularly interested in the use of phorid flies as a biological control of fire ants.
Progressive Farmer, for information on fire ant research
On January 9-10, entomologists Sanford Porter and David Oi, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, were interviewed by Becky Mills, a freelance writer for Progressive Farmer magazine, for a story about fire ants that is tentatively scheduled for publication in April. The interviews covered fire ant distribution in the United States, biological control efforts (parasitic flies, pathogens), improvements in chemical controls (fire ant baits), treatment strategies for yards versus large acreages, and timing of treatment applications.

Media Events for 2007

Associated Press
On 30 April, entomologist Steven Valles, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was interviewed by the Associated Press about development and potential use of the Solenopsis invicta virus 1 for fire ant control. Solenopsis invicta virus 1 is the first virus discovered and characterized from the red imported fire ant. The ARS Office of Technology Transfer recently published a press release seeking partners to develop this promising control technology.

Media Events from 2006

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Mike Toner, June 11)
"WE'VE GOT ANTS! (and we can't get rid of 'em.)
In the 70 years since the imported red fire ant sneaked into Mobile aboard a ship from Brazil, no insect has been more vilified or subjected to such a relentless chemical assault from Southern homeowners, gardeners and farmers. Even the government joined the quest to kill the pest, but through it all, the fire ant has not merely endured, but prospered, expanding from its original beachhead in Alabama to populate 320 million acres in 18 states.."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Robert Luke, June 11)
"Ants' efficiency inspires supply chain experts
What do ants and workers at Subway have in common?
A method of efficiently coordinating the transfer of food. In the case of ants, it's moving food to the nest. In the case of Subway workers, it's quickly delivering custom-made sandwiches to hungry customers.
Both employ bucket brigades. Workers hand off food one to another, much like firefight once did with buckets of water to extinguish a blaze before pumps were invented..."
The Wall Street Journal (Susan Warren, June 12)
"In Texas, Some Pine for Ornery Varmints Driven Underground
Kerrville, Texas, rancher Elmer Ahrens remembers a time when he couldn't use some pastures because the ticks were so thick "we couldn't even get out of the truck without being covered." But when the fire ants became a problem 20 years ago, the ticks began to disappear..."
Associated Press (Bill Kaczor, June 10)
"Florida State Researcher Defends Fire Ants
The first sentence of the first chapter of Walter Tschinkel's new book says it all: "I love fire ants." The Florida State University myrmecologist - a biologist who specializes in ants - has spent 35 years studying red imported fire ants, aggressive stinging insects that most Southerners consider a pest of the first order if not an outright scourge..."
Anglia Television: On February 17, David Oi, entomologist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was contacted by Tessa O’Neil, a producer at Anglia Television, part of British TV production company Granada Television. O’Neil is involved in making two one-hour documentaries for the National Geographic Channel about pest infestations.

Media Events from 2005

Florida Public Radio: On September 8, Sanford D. Porter, entomologist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was contacted by Mark Simpson, reporter/producer, WFSU, the Florida Public Radio affiliate in Tallahassee. Simpson interviewed Porter regarding the phorid fly, a natural enemy of the imported fire ant that is being used to control the ant nonchemically.
Freelance Writer: On August 1, Sanford D. Porter, entomologist,
ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville,
FL, was contacted by Kelli Whitlock Burton, freelance writer, for
information about ARS research on the fire ant-decapitating phorid fly,
a natural enemy of fire ants in South America. Burton will submit her
manuscript to Smithsonian magazine.
Hong Kong Standard newspaper: On January 26, Robert K. Vander Meer, entomologist, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was interviewed by Dennis Hong, reporter with the Hong Kong Standard, about ARS research on imported fire ants. These pests were recently discovered in Hong Kong, China, and officials are worried that an infestation could seriously affect their flower and ornamental tree industries. The newspaper covers general business news.
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL: On January 6, Sanford Porter and Roberto Pereira, entomologists, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, were interviewed by Jeff Patterson, reporter, WFLA-TV, an NBC affiliate, about ARS research concerning the imported fire ant's impact on people and agriculture in Florida.

Media Events from 2004

WCJB-TV, Gainesville, FL: On December 9, Sanford Porter, entomologist, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, was contacted by a reporter from WCJB-TV, Channel 20, Gainesville, about ARS research on imported fire ants and the decapitating phorid flies. WCJB is an ABC affiliate.
Atlanta, GA, and Dallas, TX, radio stations: On December 3, Steven M. Valles, entomologist, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Imported Fire Ants and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was contacted by Bruce Kennedy, reporter, WABE-AM, the National Public Radio affiliate in Atlanta, GA, and a reporter from KRLD-AM in Dallas, TX, as a follow-up to the November 30 ARS News Service item, "First Virus To Infect Red Imported Fire Ants Discovered."
Associated Press and several Florida radio stations: On December 2, Steven M. Valles, entomologist, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was contacted by Tony Winton, Associated Press radio service; Amber Freeman, Mid-Florida Public Radio network; Joshua Johnson, The Miami Herald's National Public Radio affiliate; Kevin Morgan, Florida Farm Bureau radio network; and several other Florida radio stations for more information about an ARS-developed fire ant virus. All were follow-ups to the November 30 ARS News Service item, "First Virus To Infect Red Imported Fire Ants Discovered."
The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA): On December 1, Steven M. Valles, entomologist, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was contacted by Ben Spellman, environmental reporter, The Desert Sun, for more information about the November 30 ARS News Service item, "First Virus To Infect Red Imported Fire Ants Discovered." Valles was also contacted by Jim Echols, a self-described entrepreneur interested in further development of the virus.
Cox Newspapers: On November 30, Jeff Nesmith, reporter, Washington, DC, bureau of Cox Newspapers, contacted the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Information Staff for further information on the November 30 ARS News Service item, "First Virus To Infect Red Imported Fire Ants Discovered." Nesmith planned to forward the information to the Cox-owned Palm Beach Daily News, Palm Beach, FL, and The Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach, FL. He was also referred to Steven M. Valles, entomologist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL.
Gainesville (FL) Sun and Tennessee Farm Bureau radio radio Service: On November 30, Steven M. Valles, entomologist, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was contacted by a reporter for the Gainesville Sun and a representative of a radio program produced by the Tennessee Farm Bureau. The contacts were stimulated by the November 30 ARS News Service item, "First Virus To Infect Red Imported Fire Ants Discovered."
North One Television, London, England: On August 9-10, Sanford D. Porter, entomologist, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, guided North One Television's filming of ARS fire ant research. North One has been contracted to produce a documentary series for the Discovery Channel.
Living Green television show: On July 15, Mark Hostetler, host of Living Green, filmed a segment about research on imported fire ants and phorid flies conducted at the Agricultural Research Service's Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit in Gainesville, FL. The show is produced by WUFT-TV, north-central Florida's PBS affiliate, operated by the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications.
Florida Sarasota Herald-Tribune: On June 5, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune carried a story about ARS research on phorid flies, which attack fire ants and lay eggs inside them. Eventually the eggs develop and the larvae feed inside the ant's head, eventually decapitating the ant. On May 19, the ARS News Service reported that the flies have gained a permanent foothold in Florida as a biological control against the ants.
The Greenville (SC) News: On May 24, Jason Zacher, staff writer, The Greenville News, contacted the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Information Staff for information about a new species of phorid fly that has been established in a region of Florida. Zacher was interested in when the same species might become established in South Carolina. The fly, Pseudacteon curvatus, is the smallest of the decapitating flies and can parasitize small worker ants, the most abundant workers in an ant colony. The fly was released by researchers in the ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit (IFAHI), Gainesville, FL. Zacher was also referred to Sanford Porter, acting research leader, IFAHI, for answers to his questions.
Associated Press and Louisiana State University (LSU) Ag Communication Center: On March 24, Janet McClannaughey, Associated Press writer, and Richard Bogren, LSU Ag Communications Center, interviewed Roberto Pereira, entomologist, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, about the components and preliminary results of the ARS Areawide Suppression of Fire Ant Population in Pastures project.

Media Events from 2003

South Carolina television stations: On September 24, scientists David Williams and Sanford Porter, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, were interviewed by three local television stations during a phorid fly release conducted at Fort Jackson, a U.S. Army base in South Carolina. Channel 10 WIS (NBC affiliate), Channel 19 WLTX (CBS affiliate), and Channel 25 (ABC affiliate) conducted interviews with the scientists, who discussed ARS' fire ant biological control program and the biology of the phorid flies that are a natural enemy of the ants.
FloridAgriculture: On July 1, the monthly FloridAgriculture magazine, published by the Florida Farm Bureau, printed an article describing how researchers at the ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit and the ARS Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, Gainesville, are striving to "take the bite out of insect pests."
National Geographic Today: On June 17, Steve Greenberg, a writer for the National Geographic Today web site, contacted Sanford Porter, entomologist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, for information regarding the successful release of phorid flies--known for decapitating fire ants--in Miami, FL.
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.
Mona Lisa Productions: On March 20, Sanford Porter, entomologist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was contacted for further information by Quincy Russell, photographer/filmmaker, Mona Lisa Productions, on decapitating fly biology and fire ant biocontrol. Mona Lisa Productions has been contracted by the Discovery Channel to produce a documentary film that will include ARS biocontrol research.
KTSA Radio interview: On March 14, Sanford D. Porter, entomologist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, conducted an interview with KTSA radio, discussing the biology of the biocontrol flies that decapitate fire ants.
Miami Herold interview: On March 13, Sanford Porter, entomologist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was interviewed concerning a release in the Miami area of decapitating flies to control fire ants.
Documentary producer requests information on imported fire ants: On February 22, Sanford Porter, entomologist, ARS Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, was contacted by Danielle Parsons, an independent documentary producer, for information on the complex behavior and communication within red imported fire ant colonies. Parsons also asked for permission to acquire video images during a scheduled collecting trip to Argentina by Porter.