Red Imported Fire Ant Research Paper

Invasive species in Florida Rehta Bossman
Everest Univeristy
Enviromental Science
5 Aug 13
Mr. Perry

Abstract

The Red Imported Fire Ant is a major pest in urban landscapes including residential/ commercial lawns, sports fields, golf courses, parks and threaten households, agriculture and wildlife.

“Red imported fire ants threaten agriculture, wildlife and homes”
Red imported fire ant bodies are reddish with shiny dark brown gaster and have a stinger. They have large eyes and three teeth on the front of the head. They have a ten segmented antennae with 2 segmented club and petiole with two nodes; no spine or thorax. Workers are polymorphic and differ in size, 1/16-to 1/5 inch long. Also extremely
Colonies may split and move to new locations. The red imported fire ants, also known as (RIFA) travel in distinct trails along foundations, sidewalks, patios, upside of buildings, along baseboards, and under edges of carpet.
This invasive species is extremely aggressive, if disturbed they will swarm out of nests and attack in large numbers which will inflict a very painful sting. They feed on living insects, dead animals, and honeydew from honeydew producing insects.
Since the introduction of red imported fire ants, it has become a major agricultural and urban pest throughout the southeastern states. In addition fire ants cause both medical and environmental harm. In agriculture, the RIFA frequently invades soybean crops and heavy infestations invariably yield few soybeans. Opportunistic feeding on the young tender growth by red imported fire ant occur throughout the year and can cause significant damage not only to soybean crops, but citrus, corn, okra, bean, cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, potato, sweet potato, peanut, and
After a heavy rain the colony may move to higher ground or inside homes to take refuge from saturated soil. If nesting under patio slabs or concrete walkways, the nest cavity may cause concrete slab to fall and cause damage to the sidewalk.
Red imported fire ants have been reported to reduce ground nesting populations of rodents and birds. In certain instances, the RIFA may completely eliminate ground nesting species from a given area. The most important problem with RIFA is its sting. The workers can sting repeatedly and attack anything that disturbs their mounds or food sources. Symptoms of the sting include burning and itching followed by the development of a pustule that may take a week or two to heal. Scratching these pustules can lead to secondary bacterial infections and can leave permanent scars.
As usual with insect stings certain persons are hypersensitive to fire ant venom and may suffer chest pains, nausea or lapse into a coma from one sting. Birds and small animals can be harmed, or occasionally killed by fire ant stings. They will also sting poultry and domestic