Location: Biological Control of Pests Research
Project Number: 6066-22320-010-006-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2021
End Date: Jun 30, 2026
Objective:
1. Discover naturally occurring contact toxins, repellents and fumigants for invasive ants with focus on the red imported fire ants and tawny crazy ants.
2. Discover ant behavior-modifying compounds/substance, such as pheromones, attractants and feeding stimulants.
3. Development of control products based on identified toxins and behavior-modifying compounds/substances.
Approach:
Objective 1: Collect biological materials from terrestrial, aquatic, and marine sources for which there are reasons to suspect the presence of ant-active compounds and conduct bioassay-directed isolation of active compounds against invasive ants.
Objective 2: Identify ant behavior-modifying compounds from ants and their foods and nests.
Objective 3: Scale up the production of compounds of interest and conduct development research such as formulating ant mound and nest treatment and bait products.
