ARS | Publication request: Phorid Flies in Alabama: A tale of two species

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 7, 2004
Publication Date: July 1, 2003
Citation: Graham, L.C., Porter, S.D., Bertagnolli, V.E. 2003. Phorid Flies in Alabama: A tale of two species. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. 20:165-171.

Interpretive Summary: Fire ants are a major urban and agricultural pest in Alabama. Since fire ant populations in their native South American range are much lower than they are in the United States, it is hoped that the release of classical self-sustaining natural enemies will help permanently reduce fire ant populations in Alabama. Scientists working at the University of Auburn and the USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL cooperated to release two species of phorid flies at 11 sites in Alabama. So far flies have been recovered from 9 sites. Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae) was released in South Alabama in populations of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier was released in North Alabama in hybrid fire ant populations (Solenopsis invicta x Solenopsis richteri Forel). The number of mounds per hectare and mound size was recorded for all release sites and for control sites, if established. Data from the three oldest sites are presented. Mound numbers decreased at two release sites, but increased at the third. Further analysis and data collection are needed to determine the longterm effect of phorid flies on Alabama fire ants.

Technical Abstract: Two species of phorid fly have been released at 11 sites in Alabama and have been recovered from 9 sites. Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae) was released in South Alabama in populations of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier was released in North Alabama in hybrid fire ant populations (Solenopsis invicta x Solenopsis richteri Forel). The number of mounds per hectare and mound size was recorded for all release sites and for control sites, if established. Data from the three oldest sites are presented. Mound numbers decreased at two release sites, but increased at the third. Further analysis and data collection are needed to determine the longterm effect of phorid flies on Alabama fire ants.