Research Project: Invasive Ant Biology and Control

Location: Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Solinviviridae - (Book / Chapter)
Valles, S.M., Firth, A.E. 2020. Solinviviridae. Encyclopedia of Virology. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.21559-8.

Minimal intraspecific aggression among tawny crazy ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lawson, K.J., Oi, D.H. 2020. Minimal intraspecific aggression among tawny crazy ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Florida. Florida Entomologist. 103(2):247-252. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.103.0215.

Influence of temperature on the pathogenicity of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Porter, S.D. 2019. Influence of temperature on the pathogenicity of Solenopsis invicta virus 3. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 166:107217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2019.107217.

Worker size and geographical distribution of imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species and hybrid in Tennessee - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pandey, M., Adesso, K.M., Archer, R.S., Valles, S.M., Callcott, A.M., Baysal-Gurel, F., Ganter, P., Youssef, N.N., Oliver, J.B. 2019. Worker size and geographical distribution of imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species and hybrid in Tennessee. Environmental Entomology. 48(3):727-732. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz023.

Nine new RNA viruses associated with the fire ant Solenopsis invicta from its native range - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Rivers, A.R. 2019. Nine new RNA viruses associated with the fire ant Solenopsis invicta from its native range. Virus Genes. 55:368-380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11262-019-01652-4.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Solinviviridae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Brown, K., Olendraite, I., Valles, S.M., Firth, A., Chen, Y., Guerin, D., Hashimoto, Y., Herrero, S., De Miranda, J., Ryabov, E. 2019. ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Solinviviridae. Journal of General Virology. 100(5):736-737. https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001242.

ICTV virus taxonomy profile: Polycipiviridae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Brown, K., Olendraite, I., Valles, S.M., Firth, A., Chen, Y., Guerin, D., Hashimoto, Y., Herrero, S., De Miranda, J., Ryabov, E. 2019. ICTV virus taxonomy profile: Polycipiviridae. Journal of General Virology. 100(4):554-555. https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001241.

The fire ant decapitating fly Pseudacteon bifidus (Diptera: Phoridae): host specificity and attraction to potential food items - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Porter, S.D., Plowes, R.M., Causton, C.E. 2018. The fire ant decapitating fly Pseudacteon bifidus (Diptera: Phoridae): host specificity and attraction to potential food items. Florida Entomologist. 101(1):55-60. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.101.0111.

Introduction of fire ant biological control agents into the Coachella Valley of California - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Oi, D.H., Valles, S.M., Porter, S.D., Cavanaugh, C., White, G., Henke, J. 2019. Introduction of fire ant biological control agents into the Coachella Valley of California. Florida Entomologist. 100(1):284-286. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0156.

Effect of soil treatments for cottony cushion scale, (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) control on Nylanderia fulva (Hymenoptera: Formidicae) survival and trailing activity - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sharma, S., Buss, E.A., Hodges, G., Oi, D.H. 2019. Effect of soil treatments for cottony cushion scale, (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) control on Nylanderia fulva (Hymenoptera: Formidicae) survival and trailing activity. Florida Entomologist. 102(1):202-206. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0132.

Multiplexed lateral flow immunoassay to discriminate Solenopsis invicta from Solenopsis richteri and their hybrids - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Strong, C.A., Callcott, A.A. 2018. Multiplexed lateral flow immunoassay to discriminate Solenopsis invicta from Solenopsis richteri and their hybrids. Scientific Reports. 65:493-501. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-018-0637-4.

Biology and rearing of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon bifidus (Diptera: Phoridae) a parasitoid of tropical fire ants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Porter, S.D., Plowes, R.M. 2018. Biology and rearing of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon bifidus (Diptera: Phoridae) a parasitoid of tropical fire ants. Florida Entomologist. 101: 265-272.

Prospecting for viral natural enemies of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta in Argentina - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Porter, S.D., Calcaterra, L.A. 2018. Prospecting for viral natural enemies of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta in Argentina. PLoS ONE. 13(2): e0192377. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192377.

Complete genome sequence of a new isolate of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 from Solenopsis invicta x richteri hybrid ants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Oliver, J., Addesso, K. 2017. Complete genome sequence of a new isolate of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 from Solenopsis invicta x richteri hybrid ants. Genome Announcements. 5(48):e01273-17. doi:10.1128/genomeA.01273-17.

Insecticides for suppression of Nylanderia fulva - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Calibeo, D., Oi, F.M., Oi, D.H., Mannion, C. 2017. Insecticides for suppression of Nylanderia fulva. Insects. 8(3):93. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects8030093.

Polycipiviridae: a proposed new family of polycistronic picorna-like RNA viruses - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Olendraite, I., Lukhovitskaya, N.I., Porter, S.D., Valles, S.M., Firth, A.E. 2017. Polycipiviridae: a proposed new family of polycistronic picorna-like RNA viruses. Journal of General Virology. 98(6):2368-2378.

Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles differentiate tropical fire ant populations (Solenopsis geminata, Hymenoptera: Formicidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hu, L., Vander Meer, R.K., Porter, S.D., Chen, L. 2017. Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles differentiate tropical fire ant populations (Solenopsis geminata, Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Chemistry and Biodiversity. 14(11):e1700192. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201700192.

Evaluation of a lateral flow immunoassay for field identification of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Wylie, R., Burwell, C., Mcnaught, M., Horlock, C. 2017. Evaluation of a lateral flow immunoassay for field identification of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia. Austral Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12297.

Patterns of divergence across the geographic and genomic landscape of a butterfly hybrid zone associated with a climatic gradient - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ryan, S.F., Fontaine, M.C., Scriber, J.M., O'Neil, S.T., Prefender, M.E., Hellman, J. 2017. Patterns of divergence across the geographic and genomic landscape of a butterfly hybrid zone associated with a climatic gradient. Molecular Biology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.14236.

Contrasting morphological and DNA barcoding methods for diatom (Bacillariophyta) identification from environmental samples in the Eightmile River in Connecticut U.S.A. - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Khan-Bureau, D.A., Ector, L., Morales, E.A., Wade, E.J., Lewis, L.A. 2018. Contrasting morphological and DNA barcoding methods for diatom (Bacillariophyta) identification from environmental samples in the Eightmile River in Connecticut U.S.A.. Nova Hedwigia. doi:10.1127/1438-9134/2017/279.

The role of latitudinal, genetic and temperature variation in the induction of diapause of Papilio glaucus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ryan, S.F., Scriber, J.M., Valella, P., Thivierge, G., Aardema, M. 2017. The role of latitudinal, genetic and temperature variation in the induction of diapause of Papilio glaucus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Insect Science. doi:10.1111/1744-7917.12423.

ICTV virus taxonomy profile: iflaviridae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Chen, Y., Firth, A.E., Guerin, D.M., Hashimoto, Y., Herrero, S., De Miranda, J., Ryabov, E. 2017. ICTV virus taxonomy profile: iflaviridae. Journal of General Virology. 98:527-528. doi:10.1099/jgv.0.000757.

ICTV virus taxonomy profile: dicistroviridae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Chen, Y., Firth, A.E., Guerin, D.M., Hashimoto, Y., Herrero, S., De Miranda, J., Ryabov, E. 2017. ICTV virus taxonomy profile: dicistroviridae. Journal of General Virology. 98:355-356. doi:10.1099/jgv.0.000756.

Response of the formosan subterranean termite to neighboring con-specific populations after baiting with noviflumuron - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bernard, S.J., Osbrink, W.L., Su, N. 2017. Response of the formosan subterranean termite to neighboring con-specific populations after baiting with noviflumuron. Journal of Economic Entomology. 110(2):575-583.

Enhanced pest ant control with hydrophobic bait - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Vander Meer, R.K., Milne, D.E. 2017. Enhanced pest ant control with hydrophobic bait. Journal of Economic Entomology. 110(2):567-574.

Invasive ants influence native lizard populations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Darracq, A.K., Smith, L.L., Oi, D.H., Conner, L.M., Mccleery, R.A. 2017. Invasive ants influence native lizard populations. Ecosphere. 81(1):1-17. doi:e01657. 10.1002/ecs2.1657.

Complex within complex: integrative taxonomy reveals hidden diversity in Cicadetta brevipennis (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) and unexpected relationships with a song divergent relative - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hertach, T., Stephane, P., Matija, G., Tomi, T., Reto, H., Hannes, B., Gernot, K., Wade, E.J., Simon, L., Chris, S., Peter, N. 2016. Complex within complex: integrative taxonomy reveals hidden diversity in Cicadetta brevipennis (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) and unexpected relationships with a song divergent relative. PLoS One. 11(11):e0165562.

Bait development for Tawny Crazy Ants - (Proceedings)
Oi, D.H. 2017. Bait development for Tawny Crazy Ants. National Conference on Urban Entomology. pg 57.

Solenopsis invicta virus 3: infection tests with adult honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Porter, S.D., Gavilanez Slone, J.M., Valles, S.M. 2016. Solenopsis invicta virus 3: infection tests with adult honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Florida Entomologist. 99(4):729-733.

Scavenging crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) transmit Solenopsis invicta virus 3 to red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) colonies - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Porter, S.D., Valles, S.M., Pereira, R.M. 2016. Scavenging crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) transmit Solenopsis invicta virus 3 to red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) colonies. Florida Entomologist. 99(4):811-812.

Isolation and characterization of Nylanderia fulva virus 1, a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus infecting the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Oi, D.H., Becnel, J.J., Wetterer, J.K., Lapolla, J.S., Firth, A.E. 2016. Isolation and characterization of Nylanderia fulva virus 1, a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus infecting the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva. Virology. 496:244-254.

Citizen science can improve conservation science, natural resource management, and environmental protection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mckinley, D., Miller-Rushing, A.J., Ballard, H., Bonney, R., Brown, H., Cook-Patton, S.C., Evans, D.M., French, R.A., Parrish, J.K., Phillips, T.B., Ryan, S.F., Shanley, L.A., Shirk, J.L., Stepenuck, K.F., Weltzin, J.F., Wiggins, A., Boyle, O.D., Briggs, R.D., Chapin, S.F., Hewitt, D.A., Preuss, P.W., Soukup, M.A. 2017. Citizen science can improve conservation science, natural resource management, and environmental protection. Biological Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.05.015.

Microbial control of structural insect pests - (Book / Chapter)
Pereira, R., Oi, D.H., Baggio, M.V., Koehler, P. 2017. Microbial control of structural insect pests. In: Lacey, L., editors. Microbial Control of Insect and Mite Pests. 1st edition. Salt Lake City, UT: Academic Press. p. 431-442.

Development of a lateral flow immunoassay for rapid field detection of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Strong, C.A., Callcott, A.A. 2016. Development of a lateral flow immunoassay for rapid field detection of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 408(17):4693-4703.

Can communication disruption of red imported fire ants reduce foraging success - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Suckling, D.M., Stringer, L.D., Jimenez-Perez, A., Bunn, B., Vander Meer, R.K. 2016. Can communication disruption of red imported fire ants reduce foraging success. Myrmecological News. 23:25-31.

Development of genetic markers distinguishing two invasive fire ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their hybrids - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shoemaker, D.D. 2016. Development of genetic markers distinguishing two invasive fire ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their hybrids. Florida Entomologist. 99(1):117-119.

Dynamic changes in host-virus interactions associated with colony founding and social environment in fire ant queens (Solenopsis invicta) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Manfredini, F., Shoemaker, D.D., Grozinger, C.M. 2016. Dynamic changes in host-virus interactions associated with colony founding and social environment in fire ant queens (Solenopsis invicta). Ecology and Evolution. 6(1):233-244. doi:10.1002/ece3.1843.

Evidence of niche shift and global invasion potential of the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kumar, S., Lebrun, E., Stohlgren, T., Stabach, J., Mcdonald, D., Oi, D.H., Lapolla, J.S. 2015. Evidence of niche shift and global invasion potential of the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva. Ecology and Evolution. 5:4628-4641.

The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) in the West Indies: distribution of natural enemies and a possible test bed for release of self-sustaining biocontrol agents - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Wetterer, J.K., Porter, S.D. 2015. The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) in the West Indies: distribution of natural enemies and a possible test bed for release of self-sustaining biocontrol agents. Florida Entomologist. 98(4):1101-1105.

Toxicity Profiles and Colony Effects of Liquid Baits on Tawny Crazy Ants (plus an update on their U.S. distribution) - (Proceedings)
Oi, D.H. 2015. Toxicity Profiles and Colony Effects of Liquid Baits on Tawny Crazy Ants (plus an update on their U.S. distribution). Meeting Abstract. pp. 38.

Workers and alate queens of Solenopsis geminata share qualitatively similar but quantitatively different venom alkaloid chemistry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shi, Q., Hu, L., Wang, W., Porter, S.D., Vander Meer, R.K., Chen, L. 2015. Workers and alate queens of Solenopsis geminata share qualitatively similar but quantitatively different venom alkaloid chemistry. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 3:76.

Dose response of red imported fire ant colonies treated with Solenopsis invicta virus 3 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valles, S.M., Porter, S.D. 2015. Dose response of red imported fire ant colonies treated with Solenopsis invicta virus 3. Archives of Virology. doi: 10.1007/s00705-015-2520-1.

Successful transcription but not translation or assembly of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 in a baculovirus-driven expression system - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Allen, C., Valles, S.M. 2015. Successful transcription but not translation or assembly of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 in a baculovirus-driven expression system. Florida Entomologist. 98(3):943-949.

Myrmecomorba nylanderiae gen. et sp. nov., a microsporidian parasite of the Tawny Crazy Ant, Nylanderia fulva - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Plowes, R.M., Becnel, J.J., Lebrun, E.G., Oi, D.H., Valles, S.M., Jones, N.T., Gilbert, L.E. 2015. Myrmecomorba nylanderiae gen. et sp. nov., a microsporidian parasite of the Tawny Crazy Ant, Nylanderia fulva. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 129:45-56.

A Review of the Biological Control of Fire Ants - (Review Article)
Oi, D.H., Porter, S.D., Valles, S.M. 2015. A Review of the Biological Control of Fire Ants. Myrmecological News. 21:101-116.