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Henry Y Fadamiro - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • pseudacteon Phorid flies host specificity and impacts on solenopsis fire ants
    Annual Review of Entomology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Li Chen, Henry Y Fadamiro
    Abstract:

    Human commerce has resulted in the spread of the imported fire ants, Solenopsis species, worldwide. Six species of parasitic Pseudacteon Phorid flies that are highly host specific to the Solenopsis saevissima complex of Solenopsis fire ants have been successfully released in the southern United States. The presence of Pseudacteon Phorid flies, in addition to having direct mortality effects on their host ants, modifies foraging behavior and disrupts interspecific competition between host species and other ant species in the community. Fire ant workers have evolved effective methods to cope with parasitism pressure, which may relieve population-level impacts of introduced Phorid flies. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying host location, host preference, and host-size selection of Pseudacteon Phorid flies and highlights their direct and indirect effects on fire ant populations. Knowledge gained from parasitoid–ant interactions will enhance use of natural enemies as biological control agents for i...

  • fire ant alarm pheromone and venom alkaloids act in concert to attract parasitic Phorid flies pseudacteon spp
    Journal of Insect Physiology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Kavita R Sharma, Henry Y Fadamiro
    Abstract:

    Pseudacteon tricuspis, Pseudacteon obtusus and Pseudacteon curvatus are three species of parasitic Phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae), which have been introduced as classical biological control agents of imported, Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the southern USA. Previous studies demonstrated the behavioral response of P. tricuspis to the venom alkaloids and alarm pheromone of the fire ant, S. invicta. In the present study, we compared the responses of P. tricuspis, P. obtusus and P. curvatus to Solenopsis invicta alarm pheromone, venom alkaloids, or a mixture of both chemicals in four-choice olfactometer bioassays. The main hypothesis tested was that the fire ant alarm pheromone and venom alkaloids act in concert to attract Pseudacteon Phorid flies. Both sexes of all three Pseudacteon species were attracted to low doses of the fire ant alarm pheromone or venom alkaloids (i.e. 1 ant worker equivalent) alone. However, the flies were significantly more attracted to a mixture of both chemicals (i.e., 1:1 mixture of alarm pheromone + alkaloids) than to either chemical. The results suggest an additive rather than a synergistic effect of combining both chemicals. Comparing the fly species, P. tricuspis showed relatively greater attraction to cis alkaloids, whereas the alkaloid mixture (cis + trans) was preferred by P. obtusus and P. curvatus. In general, no key sexual differences were recorded, although females of P. tricuspis and P. obtusus showed slightly higher response than conspecific males to lower doses of the alarm pheromone. The ecological significance of these findings is discussed, and a host location model is proposed for parasitic Phorid flies involving the use of fire ant alarm pheromone and venom alkaloids as long range and short range attractants, respectively.

  • comparing electroantennogram and behavioral responses of two pseudacteon Phorid fly species to body extracts of black red and hybrid imported fire ants solenopsis spp
    Journal of Insect Physiology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Li Chen, Samuel A Ochieng, Xiaofang He, Henry Y Fadamiro
    Abstract:

    Abstract Several Phorid fly species were introduced to the southern United States for biological control of the invasive imported fire ants, Solenopsis richteri (Black), Solenopsis invicta (Red), and their Hybrid S. richteri × S. invicta (Hybrid). It has been previously reported that the Jaguariuna biotype of Pseudacteon tricuspis and the Formosan biotype of Pseudacteon curvatus could distinguish among the three fire ant species with greater preference for Hybrid and Red fire ants. We hypothesized that Phorid flies might use host derived chemical cues to differentiate ant species. To determine possible differential olfactory sensitivity of Phorid fly species to different fire ant species, we compared electroantennogram (EAG) and behavioral responses of both sexes of P. tricuspis and P. curvatus to body extracts of Black, Red and Hybrid fire ants. As worker sizes of Black and Hybrid fire ants used in this study were much larger than that of Red fire ant (the average weight for Black, Red and Hybrid workers was 1.707, 0.863, 1.223 mg per ants, respectively), at doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1 worker equivalent, body extracts of Black and Hybrid fire ant elicited significantly greater EAG response in both sexes of P. tricuspis than that of Red fire ant. Similarly, the EAG response in female P. curvatus to body extract of Black fire ant was significantly greater than to body extract of Red fire ant. To eliminate worker size influence on EAG response in Phorid flies, we conducted a second EAG study using a dose of 1 mg ant equivalent (body extract from 1 mg of worker). No difference in EAG responses was recorded to body extract obtained from the same amount of workers among the three fire ant species (we consider viable Hybrid fire ant as a species in this paper), suggesting that worker size differences contributed to difference in EAG response in the first EAG study. In both EAG studies, male P. tricuspis showed significantly greater EAG responses than male P. curvatus to all three fire ant species. In four-way olfactometer bioassay, worker body extracts of all three fire ant species were equally attractive to P. tricuspis and P. curvatus (i.e. both Phorid fly species did not show any preferences among the three fire ant species). Together, the results of the EAG and behavior studies suggest that parasitic Phorid flies utilize host derived non-polar compounds from worker ants extracted out by hexane for host location but not for host preference, since both fly species are not able to distinguish among the body extracts of the three fire ant species. Future study will investigate possible involvement of polar compounds and/or non-chemical cues in mediating host preference by Phorid flies.

  • Phorid fly pseudacteon tricuspis response to alkylpyrazine analogs of a fire ant solenopsis invicta alarm pheromone
    Journal of Insect Physiology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Kavita R Sharma, Robert Vander K Meer, Henry Y Fadamiro
    Abstract:

    Abstract The Phorid fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, is a parasitoid of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. This fly has been reported to use fire ant chemicals, specifically venom alkaloids and possibly alarm pheromone to locate its host. A recent study identified 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethyl pyrazine as a component of the alarm pheromone of S. invicta. To determine the possible involvement of this fire ant alarm pheromone component in mediating fire ant-Phorid fly interactions, we tested electroantennogram (EAG) and behavioral responses of P. tricuspis females to the commercially available mixture of 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethyl pyrazine and its 3,5-dimethyl isomer, as well as six structurally related alkylpyrazine analogs at varying doses. Pseudacteon tricuspis females showed significant EAG response to 2-ethyl-3,6(or 5)-dimethyl pyrazine (herein referred to as pheromone-isomer) at all doses, 0.001–10 μg. Among the tested alkylpyrazine analogs, 2,3-diethyl-5-methyl pyrazine showed significant EAG activity at 0.1 and 1 μg. 2,3-dimethyl pyrazine also showed significant EAG activity at 0.1 μg. Results of four-choice olfactometer bioassays demonstrated significant attraction of P. tricuspis females to the pheromone-isomer (2-ethyl-3,6(or 5)-dimethyl pyrazine) at all tested doses (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 μg). The analogs, 2,3-diethyl-5-methyl pyrazine and 2,3-dimethyl pyrazine were significantly better than the control at the higher doses (0.1, 1 and 10 μg). The pheromone-isomer was significantly better than both analogs at two doses, 0.1 and 1 μg. These results confirm that the reported fire ant alarm pheromone component plays a role in mediating attraction of Phorid flies to host workers. Venom alkaloids were previously shown to attract P. tricuspis ; therefore, we propose that fire ant alarm pheromones may act in tandem or synergistically with venom alkaloids to attract Phorid fly parasitoids to fire ant workers.

  • host preference in pseudacteon Phorid flies response of p tricuspis and p curvatus to black red and hybrid imported solenopsis fire ants in multiple choice bioassays
    Biological Control, 2009
    Co-Authors: Xiaofang He, Henry Y Fadamiro
    Abstract:

    Abstract Host preferences in both sexes of Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier (Jaguariuna biotype) and Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier (Formosa biotype) and their relative attraction to the imported fire ants (IFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren (red IFA), Solenopsis richteri Forel (black IFA) and S. invicta × S. richteri hybrids (hybrid IFA) were investigated in two separate experiments utilizing multiple choice flight bioassays. The results of both experiments clearly showed that both sexes of the Jaguariuna biotype of P. tricuspis could distinguish among the three IFA species and demonstrated greater preference for hybrid IFA and red IFA. This conclusion is supported by a variety of data collected on the number of fly visits, attack rate, and hovering duration (Experiment 1), and on the number of trapped flies (Experiment 2), which showed that black IFA is the least preferred of the three species. Similar results were recorded for the Formosan biotype of P. curvatus, although the data were not as strongly conclusive. Females of this biotype spent a significantly greater amount of time in hovering mode over red IFA and hybrid IFA compared to black IFA, but the other data were not significant. The red IFA is the natural host of both Phorid fly biotypes and our results suggest that both biotypes may have evolved a specialized relationship with red IFA including an ability to discriminate it from related fire ants. These results are discussed in relation to the possible role of fire ant chemicals in mediating host preferences in Phorid flies, contributions of male Phorid flies to fire ant biocontrol, and the practical implications of the key findings.

Brian V. Brown - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Figures 1 – 3. Female Phorid Fly Oviscapes, Lateral. 1 In Parasitoid Phorid Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) From The Threatened Leafcutter Ant Atta Robusta Borgmeier (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
    2020
    Co-Authors: Brian V. Brown, Marcos A. L. Bragança, Diego S Gomes, Jarbas M Queiros, Marcos C Teixeira
    Abstract:

    FIGURES 1 – 3. Female Phorid fly oviscapes, lateral. 1. Eibesfeldtphora breviloba; 2. Eibesfeldtphora digitalis; 3. Myrmosicarius exrobustus.

  • Millipede Defensive Compounds Are a Double-Edged Sword: Natural History of the Millipede-Parasitic Genus Myriophora Brown (Diptera: Phoridae)
    Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2017
    Co-Authors: John Mark Hash, James F. Harwood, John M Heraty, Jocelyn G. Millar, Brian V. Brown
    Abstract:

    Toxic defensive secretions produced by millipedes in the orders Julida, Spirobolida, Spirostreptida, and Polydesmida are highly repellent to most vertebrate and invertebrate natural enemies, but a few insects have evolved mechanisms to overcome these defenses. We demonstrate that highly specialized parasitic Phorid flies in the species-rich genus Myriophora use volatile millipede defensive compounds as kairomones for host location. Of the two predominant quinone components in the defensive blend of juliform millipedes, 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone alone was sufficient to attract adult flies of both sexes; however, a combination of 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone and 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone increased attractiveness nearly threefold. We further discuss oviposition behavior, adult and larval feeding habits, life history parameters, and the potential competitive interactions between Phorid flies in the genus Myriophora and other millipede-associated insects.

  • a second species and first central american record of the Phorid fly genus lenkoa borgmeier diptera Phoridae
    Zootaxa, 2016
    Co-Authors: Brian V. Brown, Wendy Porras
    Abstract:

    A second species, and first Central American record, of the Phorid fly genus Lenkoa Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae). Many species of Phorid flies have wingless or brachypterous females. Mostly, they belong to a group classified within the subfamily Metopininae corresponding to the Metopina group of genera of Brown (1992a) or the tribe Metopinini of Disney (2003, not 1987). The males of this group are much more typical in appearance, with well-developed wings, larger eyes, and fully developed abdominal tergites. These males carry females during a mating flight, often dispersing them to new breeding sites (Miller 1984). Generally, the sexual dimorphism is so great that the sexes cannot be confidently associated unless they are collected in copula . This has led to a profusion of species being described as males and females in separate genera. Some of these brachypterous females, both within the Metopinini and elsewhere in other Phoridae, have been correctly associated with their males when they are found together (e.g., Brown 1986, 1992b, 1994), but many remain unassociated.

  • Phorids associated with nests of Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a forest and a plantation
    Revista Colombiana De Entomologia, 2016
    Co-Authors: Soraya Uribe, Brian V. Brown, Guillermo Correa, Adriana Ortiz
    Abstract:

    The external portion of Atta cephalotes nests is composed of three areas: openings, trails, and cutting; where cutting and transporting leaves, sharing information, and defending the nest take place. The richness of the fauna of these areas is not only dependent on the interactions among ants, but also the accumulation of plant material and nest waste, which are exploited by flies of the family Phoridae. Traps with two different kinds of bait were used both during the day and at night to exploit common aspects of Phorid fly biology and behavior, such as their attraction to live ants and refuse dumps, their use of visual and olfactory signals, and their perching behavior. Nests in both a citrus monoculture and a forest remnant were studied to evaluate whether environmental characteristics of the sites influence the presence of Phorids. One parasitoid, Eibesfeldtphora attae, and 13 additional, mostly saprophagous, genera of Phorids associated with A. cephalotes were collected in the nests. Specimens from 12 genera were identified in the forest remnant, most frequently Megaselia, Coniceromyia, and Synclinusa. Nine genera were identified in the citrus plantation, most frequently Dohrniphora and Megaselia. Using Analysis of Similarities (Anosim), significant differences (P = 0.002) in faunal composition were found between the forest remnant and the plantation, but no significant effect was detected in faunal composition between areas of the nest (P = 0.206), between baits (P = 0.956), or between periods (P = 0.603).

  • the first known ant parasitising Phorid fly diptera Phoridae from new zealand is an invasive species
    New Zealand Entomologist, 2014
    Co-Authors: Brian V. Brown, H Oliver
    Abstract:

    A new species of Phorid fly, Epacteon latifrons, is described from Raglan, New Zealand. It was observed attacking workers of the ant species Technomyrmex jocosus Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:758AE47F-A486-4D5F-90AA-20C6CBE2F364

Marcos A. L. Bragança - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • BIOLOGICAL CONTROL Parasitism Characteristics of Two Phorid Fly Species in Relation to Their Host, the Leaf-Cutting Ant Atta laevigata (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
    2020
    Co-Authors: Marcos A. L. Bragança, Athayde Tonhasca
    Abstract:

    The leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens (L.) and Atta laevigata (Smith) constitute serious pests of agriculture and forestry in Brazil. These ants are parasitized by the Phorids Neodohrniphora tonhascai Brown and Neodohrniphora erthali Brown (Diptera: Phoridae), respectively. The parasitic potential of N. tonhascai against its host has been previously investigated, but no equivalent information is available for N. erthali. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the oviposition behavior and some biological characteristics of N. erthali in relation to its host and to determine the parasitic potential of N. tonhascai against A. laevigata, considering that in many parts of southeastern Brazil nests of A. sexdens and A. laevigata are found in close proximity of each other. These data were obtained from female N. erthali and N. tonhascai collected in the field in Vicosa (Minas Gerais State) and released singly in an observation chamber placed between a laboratory nest of A. laevigata and its foraging arena. Neodohrniphora tonhascai took less time selecting its hosts, attacked more ants and had greater rate of parasitism in relation to N. erthali. We could not establish whether A. laevigata is parasitized by N. tonhascai in the field, but the reproductive success of N. tonhascai in the laboratory demonstrated that A. laevigata is a suitable host to this parasitoid. The types of defense displayed by A. laevigata against both Phorid species were markedly different, and these results suggest that foragers take specific defensive steps in order to reduce the possibility of parasitism by Phorid flies.

  • SCIENTIFIC NOTE First Record of Phorid Parasitoids (Diptera: Phoridae) of the Leaf-Cutting Ant Atta bisphaerica Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
    2020
    Co-Authors: Marcos A. L. Bragança, Athayde Tonhasca
    Abstract:

    RESUMO - Moscas da familia Phoridae parasitam varias especies de formigas, inclusive diversassauvas (Atta spp.). Nesta nota sao relatados ataques de tres especies de forideos (Myrmosicariusgrandicornis Borgmeier, Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier e Neodohrniphora bragancai Brown)contra operarias de Atta bisphaerica Forel em uma area de pastagem localizada em Vicosa, MinasGerais. As duas primeiras especies ja sao conhecidas como parasitoides de outras sauvas, mas N.bragancai foi recentemente descrita e encontrada somente ao redor de ninhos de A. bisphaerica . Cadauma dessas especies de forideos seleciona operarias que realizam diferentes tarefas e oviposita empartes especificas do corpo do hospedeiro.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Parasitismo, comportamento de oviposicaoABSTRACT - Phoridae flies parasitize several ant species, including many Atta leaf-cutting ants. Inthis note, the attacks of three coexisting Phorid species (Myrmosicarius grandicornis Borgmeier,Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier and Neodorhniphora bragancai Brown) against Atta bisphaericaForel workers in a pasture located in Vicosa County, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, are reported. The firsttwo species of Phorids are known to parasitize other leaf-cutting ants. N. bragancai , however, has beenfound only around A. bisphaerica nests. Each of these Phorid species selects ants engaged in differenttasks and oviposits in specific sites of the ant body.KEY WORDS: Parasitism, oviposition behaviorThe leaf-cutting ant Atta bisphaerica Forel is a grassspecialist (Fowler et al. 1989) and an increasingly importantpest of pasture and sugarcane in Brazil (Della Lucia 1999).Despite the relevance of A. bisphaerica , its ecology is poorlyunderstood. Other Atta species are hosts of several Phorid(Diptera) parasitoids (Borgmeier 1928, 1931; Feener M Disney 1994, 1996), but there are no recordsof Phorid species attacking A. bisphaerica (B.V. Brown andH. Disney, personal communication). The purpose of thisresearch was to find Phorid parasitoids associated with A.bisphaerica and to determine their biological and behavioralcharacteristics.In July 1999, three field trips were made to a pasturecontaining several A. bisphaerica adult nests (at least three-year old) in Vicosa County, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Tripswere made after 3:00 PM, when foraging ants have beguntheir activity. At each visit, trails and foraging areas wereinspected for approximately 2h while ants were active duringlate afternoon, and Phorid presence and oviposition behaviorwere recorded. Three Phorid species were found:Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier, Myrmosicariusgrandicornis Borgmeier and Neodohrniphora bragancaiBrown. The first species is a parasitoid of Atta cephalotes(L.), Atta colombica Guerin, Atta laevigata (F. Smith) andAtta sexdens (L.) (Borgmeier 1928, 1931; Feener & Moss1990) while M. grandicornis parasitizes A. sexdens (Feener& Moss 1990) and A. laevigata (M. Braganca, personalobservation). N. bragancai however, is a recently describedspecies (Brown 2001) that has been reared from A.bisphaerica by the senior author. Voucher specimens of thethree species of phoris were deposited at the Museum ofEntomology at the Universidade Federal de Vicosa.

  • Figures 1 – 3. Female Phorid Fly Oviscapes, Lateral. 1 In Parasitoid Phorid Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) From The Threatened Leafcutter Ant Atta Robusta Borgmeier (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
    2020
    Co-Authors: Brian V. Brown, Marcos A. L. Bragança, Diego S Gomes, Jarbas M Queiros, Marcos C Teixeira
    Abstract:

    FIGURES 1 – 3. Female Phorid fly oviscapes, lateral. 1. Eibesfeldtphora breviloba; 2. Eibesfeldtphora digitalis; 3. Myrmosicarius exrobustus.

  • Phorid flies parasitizing leaf cutting ants their occurrence parasitism rates biology and the first account of multiparasitism
    Sociobiology, 2016
    Co-Authors: Marcos A. L. Bragança, Filipe Viegas De Arruda, Lana Rubia Rocha Souza, Hendria Cirqueira Martins, Terezinha Maria Castro Della Lucia
    Abstract:

    The leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens (Linnaeus) and Atta laevigata (Smith) were parasitized by the following Phorid flies: Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier, Apocephalus vicosae Disney, Myrmosicarius grandicornis Borgmeier and species of Eibesfeldtphora Disney. It is also related here that the area of occurrence of Phorids parasitizing A. sexdens was extended to include Central Brazil. The rate of parasitism on A. sexdens was three times lower than the rate found on A. laevigata ; most common flies were, respectively, M. grandicornis in A. sexdens and A. attophilus in A. laevigata . This last Phorid showed the shortest life span but the higher percentage of emergence. Multiparasitism on workers of A. sexdens and of A. laevigata involving three combinations of four Phorid species was rare and is here related for the first time for leaf-cutting ants.

  • parasitoid Phorid flies diptera Phoridae from the threatened leafcutter ant atta robusta borgmeier hymenoptera formicidae
    Zootaxa, 2012
    Co-Authors: Brian V. Brown, Marcos A. L. Bragança, Diego S Gomes, Jarbas M Queiros, Marcos C Teixeira
    Abstract:

    Phorid flies are well known natural enemies of leafcutter ants, but there is no information on Phorid species associatedwith the threatened species Atta robusta Borgmeier. During 2009 and 2010 we collected Phorid parasitoids of A. robusta at Guriri Island, Espirito Santo (18o43’S; 39o 45’W) and at Rio de Janeiro city (23°01’S; 43°28’W). Three new specieswere found: Eibesfeldtphora breviloba Brown, E. digitata Brown, and Myrmosicarius exrobusta Brown. These species,the attack behavior of the two species of Eibesfeldtphora, as well as the anti-parasitoid defense behavior of A. robusta, are described.

Li Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • pseudacteon Phorid flies host specificity and impacts on solenopsis fire ants
    Annual Review of Entomology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Li Chen, Henry Y Fadamiro
    Abstract:

    Human commerce has resulted in the spread of the imported fire ants, Solenopsis species, worldwide. Six species of parasitic Pseudacteon Phorid flies that are highly host specific to the Solenopsis saevissima complex of Solenopsis fire ants have been successfully released in the southern United States. The presence of Pseudacteon Phorid flies, in addition to having direct mortality effects on their host ants, modifies foraging behavior and disrupts interspecific competition between host species and other ant species in the community. Fire ant workers have evolved effective methods to cope with parasitism pressure, which may relieve population-level impacts of introduced Phorid flies. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying host location, host preference, and host-size selection of Pseudacteon Phorid flies and highlights their direct and indirect effects on fire ant populations. Knowledge gained from parasitoid–ant interactions will enhance use of natural enemies as biological control agents for i...

  • comparing electroantennogram and behavioral responses of two pseudacteon Phorid fly species to body extracts of black red and hybrid imported fire ants solenopsis spp
    Journal of Insect Physiology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Li Chen, Samuel A Ochieng, Xiaofang He, Henry Y Fadamiro
    Abstract:

    Abstract Several Phorid fly species were introduced to the southern United States for biological control of the invasive imported fire ants, Solenopsis richteri (Black), Solenopsis invicta (Red), and their Hybrid S. richteri × S. invicta (Hybrid). It has been previously reported that the Jaguariuna biotype of Pseudacteon tricuspis and the Formosan biotype of Pseudacteon curvatus could distinguish among the three fire ant species with greater preference for Hybrid and Red fire ants. We hypothesized that Phorid flies might use host derived chemical cues to differentiate ant species. To determine possible differential olfactory sensitivity of Phorid fly species to different fire ant species, we compared electroantennogram (EAG) and behavioral responses of both sexes of P. tricuspis and P. curvatus to body extracts of Black, Red and Hybrid fire ants. As worker sizes of Black and Hybrid fire ants used in this study were much larger than that of Red fire ant (the average weight for Black, Red and Hybrid workers was 1.707, 0.863, 1.223 mg per ants, respectively), at doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1 worker equivalent, body extracts of Black and Hybrid fire ant elicited significantly greater EAG response in both sexes of P. tricuspis than that of Red fire ant. Similarly, the EAG response in female P. curvatus to body extract of Black fire ant was significantly greater than to body extract of Red fire ant. To eliminate worker size influence on EAG response in Phorid flies, we conducted a second EAG study using a dose of 1 mg ant equivalent (body extract from 1 mg of worker). No difference in EAG responses was recorded to body extract obtained from the same amount of workers among the three fire ant species (we consider viable Hybrid fire ant as a species in this paper), suggesting that worker size differences contributed to difference in EAG response in the first EAG study. In both EAG studies, male P. tricuspis showed significantly greater EAG responses than male P. curvatus to all three fire ant species. In four-way olfactometer bioassay, worker body extracts of all three fire ant species were equally attractive to P. tricuspis and P. curvatus (i.e. both Phorid fly species did not show any preferences among the three fire ant species). Together, the results of the EAG and behavior studies suggest that parasitic Phorid flies utilize host derived non-polar compounds from worker ants extracted out by hexane for host location but not for host preference, since both fly species are not able to distinguish among the body extracts of the three fire ant species. Future study will investigate possible involvement of polar compounds and/or non-chemical cues in mediating host preference by Phorid flies.

  • antennal sensilla of the decapitating Phorid fly pseudacteon tricuspis diptera Phoridae
    Micron, 2008
    Co-Authors: Li Chen, Henry Y Fadamiro
    Abstract:

    Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier is a parasitic decapitating Phorid fly (Diptera: Phoridae), which has been released in the southern United States in the last decade for biological control of invasive imported fire ants, Solenopsis spp. In a previous study, we demonstrated that P. tricuspis uses fire ant semiochemicals to locate host worker ants. To provide a solid background in support of our research on mechanisms of host location and olfaction in Phorid flies, we studied the morphology of the antennal sensilla of both sexes of P. tricuspis using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Antennae of P. tricuspis show strong sexual dimorphism in structure and shape: the female has a feathered arista which is located distally on the flagellum and has three sub-segments that bear small spinules of microtrichia. The first two antennal segments, scape and pedicel, bear no sensillum, but were densely covered by microtrichia. Three major types of sensilla were found on the flagellum (funicle) of both sexes: sensilla trichodea, sensilla basiconica, and sensilla coeloconica. Two of these, s. trichodea and s. basiconica were differentiated into three (short, medium, and long) and two (blunt-tip and sharp-tip) subtypes, respectively, for a total of six morphologically different sensilla subtypes. Ultrastructural studies revealed multiple wall pores on s. trichodea and s. basiconica, possibly suggesting chemoreceptory functions. The third and least abundant sensilla type, s. coeloconica, had no wall pores and may function as thermo-hygroreceptors. With the exception of the long subtype of s. trichodea which was recorded only on the male antennae, no other marked sexual differences were recorded in the number and distribution of antennal sensilla in P. tricuspis. These results are discussed in relation to the host location behavior of P. tricuspis, and could facilitate future studies on the neurobiology of olfaction in decapitating Phorid flies.

  • effects of temperature sugar availability gender mating and size on the longevity of Phorid fly pseudacteon tricuspis diptera Phoridae
    Environmental Entomology, 2005
    Co-Authors: Li Chen, Ebenezer O Onagbola, Henry Y Fadamiro
    Abstract:

    The Phorid sy,Pseudacteontricuspis Borgmeier, has been released for biological control of red imported Þre ant,Solenopisinvicta Buren, in many parts of the southern United States. However, little is known about the nutritional ecology and the effects of environmental and physiological factors on lifespan of adult Phorid sies under laboratory or Þeld conditions. Here we report the effects of sugar feeding, temperature, gender, mating, and body size on longevity of P. tricuspis. Sugar availability and temperature were the two major factors insuencing longevity. In general, sugar feeding increased lifespan by a factor of 2Ð3. Longevity of P. tricuspis was inversely related to temperature, and the greatest longevity (15 d) was recorded for sugar-fed sies kept at 20C. Longevity declined from 15 da t 20C to 4 d at 33C for sugar-fed females and from 7 d at 20 Ct o 2da t 33C for sugar-starved females. Similar results were obtained for male P. tricuspis, and gender or mating did not signiÞcantly insuence longevity. There was no signiÞcant difference in longevity between mated and unmated female and male sies, irrespective of diet and temperature. Gender, however, had a signiÞcant effect on wing length with females being larger than males. A positive correlation between wing length and longevity was recorded for sugar-starved female and male Phorid sies kept at 20C and for sugar-starved males kept at 28C, but not for sugar-fed sies or sies exposed to high temperatures. These results suggest that provision of supplemental sugar sources and suitable microclimate near its release sites may enhance the success of P. tricuspis as a biological control agent.

Lawrence E. Gilbert - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The introduction of the fire ant parasitoid Pseudacteon nocens in North America: challenges when establishing small populations
    BioControl, 2012
    Co-Authors: Robert M. Plowes, Patricia J. Folgarait, Lawrence E. Gilbert
    Abstract:

    Several species of parasitoid Phorid flies ( Pseudacteon spp., Diptera: Phoridae) have been released into the United States as potential biological control agents for the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Here we report the first successful introduction and spread of Pseudacteon nocens Borgmeier at a site in Texas, USA. Pseudacteon nocens is an important natural enemy since it is a widespread and often abundant parasitoid of S . invicta in Argentina, where it attacks larger fire ant workers eliciting a strong defensive response. Several years of effort to establish this species previously failed, and here we provide a model to better understand the likelihood of founding new populations when introducing sequential batches of flies in field or laboratory cultures. We also report on a novel method of establishing new populations of Phorids in the field using pupae burial boxes to overcome constraints of releasing adult flies or infected worker ants.

  • Introduction of the fire ant decapitating fly Pseudacteon obtusus in the United States: factors influencing establishment in Texas
    BioControl, 2011
    Co-Authors: Robert M. Plowes, Edward G. Lebrun, Lawrence E. Gilbert
    Abstract:

    The introduction and establishment of Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae) into the United States is an important milestone in the effort to introduce a suite of parasitoids and pathogens as prospective biocontrol agents of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) . P. obtusus is the fourth species of Phorid fly to be established in the US and is now present in at least 11 sites in Texas. This species has a greater propensity for attacking foraging worker ants, and to a lesser degree it will attend mound disturbance events. The effectiveness of alternate field release strategies was evaluated across 28 sites in Texas, with establishment success 35 times more likely when no other Phorid species were present at the outset of the releases. This result implies that competition between Phorid species may interfere with establishment. Therefore release strategies should be directed to locations lacking other naturalized species or to times when abundances of other species are low.

  • Dynamic expansion in recently introduced populations of fire ant parasitoids (Diptera: Phoridae)
    Biological Invasions, 2007
    Co-Authors: Edward G. Lebrun, Robert M. Plowes, Lawrence E. Gilbert
    Abstract:

    Combating invasive species requires a detailed, mechanistic understanding of the manner and speed with which organisms expand their ranges. Biological control efforts provide an opportunity to study the process of species invasions and range expansions under known initial conditions. This study examines the rate, pattern and mechanisms of spread for two populations of the biological control agent Pseudacteon tricuspis , Phorid-fly parasitoids of imported fire ants. We employ a trap-based survey method that detects Phorid flies in low-density populations, and provides data on abundance. This technique allows us to differentiate between continuous population spread and effective long-distance dispersal and to examine density gradients of Phorid flies across the expanding population front. We find that occupied sites in front of the leading edge of continuous populations were common; forming small populations we refer to as satellite populations. Satellite populations are tens of kilometers from the nearest possible source. Wind governs the dynamics of spread in these two central Texas populations. Population edges expanding with the wind exhibited a higher frequency of effective long-distance dispersal than did populations expanding into the wind. This enhanced effective long-distance dispersal rate translated into a five times faster rate of spread for population edges traveling with the wind. This planned invasion shares many characteristics in common with unplanned species invasions including: protracted establishment phase during which densities were below detection thresholds, and slow initial spread immediately after establishment followed by rapid, accelerating spread rates as population sizes grew.

  • biogeography and macroecology of Phorid flies that attack fire ants in south eastern brazil and argentina
    Journal of Biogeography, 2005
    Co-Authors: Patricia J. Folgarait, Sanford D Porter, Octavio A Bruzzone, M A Pesquero, Lawrence E. Gilbert
    Abstract:

    Aim  Saevissima group fire ants, Solenopsis richteri and S. invicta, have become serious pests when introduced from Argentina and Brazil to other continents. In South America, Solenopsis are distributed across a great variety of habitats and climates. In North America, S. invicta, introduced free of Phorids, now ranges from coast to coast in the south. Success in introducing particular Pseudacteon as agents for the biological control of fire ants has varied across climatic zones. We aimed at assembling all the information about fire ant Phorids from Argentina and Brazil, to estimate their richness and geographical ranges, to perform a climatic analysis for these distributions, to define groups and climate-based communities, and to test and elucidate Rapoport's biogeographical rule. Location  Argentina and Brazil (South America). Methods  From field and museum collections and historical records, we developed a database of fire ant-specific Phorids throughout their known geographical range. A total of 123 sites with values for 15 climatic variables were mapped between 10° and 38° SL and between 35° and 65° C WL for the presence/absence of Phorids. We calculated species richness across all sites combined, and for each phytogeographical region, using rarefaction curves, and ICE and Mmean estimators. We calculated mid-latitudinal points, geographical ranges and areas for each species. The correlation between mid-latitudinal point and ranges/areas was tested against a null model generated from the randomization of the raw distributional data. We used several types of multivariate analyses to distinguish groups of Phorids by phytogeographical regions, hosts and climate, to find gradients of climate throughout the studied area, to define Phorid communities in terms of their relationships with gradients of climate, and to test a mechanism for Rapoport's rule. Results  Richness estimations using ICE and Mmean estimators were similar or higher than the observed values depending on the phytogeographical region. Cluster multivariate analyses based on climatic, phytogeographic and host data revealed distinct groupings of Pseudacton. The ‘cerrado’ group was confined to tropical savanna areas. A more ‘widespread’ group included ‘Chaco’ and ‘Maritime’ subgroups defined by their respective association with extreme temperatures or precipitation. Ordination multivariate analyses showed (1) two climatic gradients throughout the study area: one of temperature and the other of precipitation, and (2) that climatic variables significantly explained the observed assemblages of Phorids. Positive and negative signs of the eigenvalues from the main axes of a canonical correspondence analysis allowed us to define eight communities whose geographical distribution resembled that of phytogeographical regions. We found a significant and positive correlation between geographical areas and mid latitudinal points, and furthermore, the Mantel test based on climatic variables suggested a mechanism for Rapoport's rule applying in the case of Pseudacteon. Main conclusions Pseudacteon species with greater mid-latitudinal points occupy broader geographical areas and confront more stressful environmental conditions. Because the composition of Pseudacteon communities is largely determined by climatic variables, the correspondence between climates at sites of origin vs. sites of release should be an important consideration in choosing specific Phorids for biocontrol efforts. Resumen Metas Solenopsis richteri y S. invicta, dos miembros de las hormigas de fuego del grupo Saevissima, se han tornado serias plagas despues de ser introducidas desde Argentina/Brasil a otros continentes. En Sud America, estas especies, asi como otras Solenopsis, se encuentran distribuidas a lo largo de una gran variedad de habitats y zonas climaticas. En Norte America, S. invicta, que fue introducida sin su fauna parasitoide, ahora se distribuye de costa a costa en el Sur de ese pais. El exito de la introduccion de los foridos Pseudacteon como una estrategia de control biologico ha variado dependiendo de las zonas climaticas. Nuestro objetivo fue juntar toda la informacion sobre los foridos parasitoides de las hormigas de fuego de Argentina y Brasil, para estimar su riqueza y rangos geograficos, para realizar analisis climaticos de sus distribuciones, para definir grupos y comunidades climaticas, y para poner a prueba la regla de Rapoport y un mecanismo que la explique. Ubicacion  Argentina y Brasil (America del Sur). Metodos  Construimos una base de datos de los parasitoides especificos de las hormigas de fuego a lo largo del rango geografico conocido, a partir de datos de colectas de campo, de colecciones de museos, y de registros historicos. Ubicamos en un mapa entre los 10° y 38° LS y entre los 35° y 65° LO, los 123 sitios donde se registraron los parasitoides; en ellos ademas asignamos los valores correspondientes de 15 variables ambientales. Calculamos la riqueza para toda la region asi como para cada provincia fitogeografica, usando curvas de rarefaccion con los estimadores ICE y Mmean. Calculamos los puntos latitudinales medios, los rangos geograficos, y las areas de cada especie. La correlacion entre el punto latitudinal medio y los rangos/areas fue puesta a prueba con la generacion de un modelo nulo producto de la aleatorizacion de las especies. Usamos distintos tipos de analisis multivariados para distinguir grupos de foridos por regiones fitogeograficas, huesped y clima, para encontrar gradientes de clima a lo largo del area estudiada, para definir comunidades de foridos en relacion al clima, y para poner a prueba un mecanismo para la regla de Rapoport. Resultados  Las estimaciones de riqueza, usando ambos estimadores, fue similar o mas alta a la observada dependiendo de las provincias fitogeograficas. Los analisis de clasificacion multivariados basados en provincias fitogeograficas, huespedes y clima, revelaron distintos agrupamientos de Pseudacteon. El grupo del ‘Cerrado’ estuvo confinado a ambientes de savanas. El grupo de ‘Amplia Distribucion’ incluyo al sub-grupo del ‘Chaco’ y al ‘Maritimo’ debido a su respectiva asociacion con la temperatura y precipitacion. Los analisis multivariados de ordenamiento mostraron (1) dos gradientes climaticos en el area de estudio, uno de temperatura y otro de precipitacion, (2) que las variables climaticas explicaron significativamente el ensamble de foridos observado. Los signos, positivos y negativos, de los autovalores de los tres ejes principales del analisis de correspondencia canonica nos permitio definir ocho comunidades cuya distribucion geografica se parecia a la de las provincias fitogeograficas. Encontramos una correlacion positiva y significativa entre las areas geograficas y los puntos latitudinales medios, es mas, el Test de Mantel basado en las variables climaticas permitio identificar un mecanismo para este ensamble de Pseudacteon. Conclusiones principales  Las especies de Pseudacteon con puntos latitudinales medios mayores ocupan areas geograficas mas grandes y confrontan condiciones de stress climatico mayores. Dado que la composicion de las comunidades de Pseudacteon esta en su mayor parte determinada por variables climaticas, la correspondencia climatica entre el sitio de origen y el sitio de liberacion de los parasitoides deberia ser una consideracion importante para la seleccion de especies de foridos para el control biologico.

  • Biogeography and macroecology of Phorid flies that attack fire ants in south‐eastern Brazil and Argentina
    Journal of Biogeography, 2005
    Co-Authors: Patricia J. Folgarait, Sanford D Porter, Octavio A Bruzzone, M A Pesquero, Lawrence E. Gilbert
    Abstract:

    Aim  Saevissima group fire ants, Solenopsis richteri and S. invicta, have become serious pests when introduced from Argentina and Brazil to other continents. In South America, Solenopsis are distributed across a great variety of habitats and climates. In North America, S. invicta, introduced free of Phorids, now ranges from coast to coast in the south. Success in introducing particular Pseudacteon as agents for the biological control of fire ants has varied across climatic zones. We aimed at assembling all the information about fire ant Phorids from Argentina and Brazil, to estimate their richness and geographical ranges, to perform a climatic analysis for these distributions, to define groups and climate-based communities, and to test and elucidate Rapoport's biogeographical rule. Location  Argentina and Brazil (South America). Methods  From field and museum collections and historical records, we developed a database of fire ant-specific Phorids throughout their known geographical range. A total of 123 sites with values for 15 climatic variables were mapped between 10° and 38° SL and between 35° and 65° C WL for the presence/absence of Phorids. We calculated species richness across all sites combined, and for each phytogeographical region, using rarefaction curves, and ICE and Mmean estimators. We calculated mid-latitudinal points, geographical ranges and areas for each species. The correlation between mid-latitudinal point and ranges/areas was tested against a null model generated from the randomization of the raw distributional data. We used several types of multivariate analyses to distinguish groups of Phorids by phytogeographical regions, hosts and climate, to find gradients of climate throughout the studied area, to define Phorid communities in terms of their relationships with gradients of climate, and to test a mechanism for Rapoport's rule. Results  Richness estimations using ICE and Mmean estimators were similar or higher than the observed values depending on the phytogeographical region. Cluster multivariate analyses based on climatic, phytogeographic and host data revealed distinct groupings of Pseudacton. The ‘cerrado’ group was confined to tropical savanna areas. A more ‘widespread’ group included ‘Chaco’ and ‘Maritime’ subgroups defined by their respective association with extreme temperatures or precipitation. Ordination multivariate analyses showed (1) two climatic gradients throughout the study area: one of temperature and the other of precipitation, and (2) that climatic variables significantly explained the observed assemblages of Phorids. Positive and negative signs of the eigenvalues from the main axes of a canonical correspondence analysis allowed us to define eight communities whose geographical distribution resembled that of phytogeographical regions. We found a significant and positive correlation between geographical areas and mid latitudinal points, and furthermore, the Mantel test based on climatic variables suggested a mechanism for Rapoport's rule applying in the case of Pseudacteon. Main conclusions Pseudacteon species with greater mid-latitudinal points occupy broader geographical areas and confront more stressful environmental conditions. Because the composition of Pseudacteon communities is largely determined by climatic variables, the correspondence between climates at sites of origin vs. sites of release should be an important consideration in choosing specific Phorids for biocontrol efforts. Resumen Metas Solenopsis richteri y S. invicta, dos miembros de las hormigas de fuego del grupo Saevissima, se han tornado serias plagas despues de ser introducidas desde Argentina/Brasil a otros continentes. En Sud America, estas especies, asi como otras Solenopsis, se encuentran distribuidas a lo largo de una gran variedad de habitats y zonas climaticas. En Norte America, S. invicta, que fue introducida sin su fauna parasitoide, ahora se distribuye de costa a costa en el Sur de ese pais. El exito de la introduccion de los foridos Pseudacteon como una estrategia de control biologico ha variado dependiendo de las zonas climaticas. Nuestro objetivo fue juntar toda la informacion sobre los foridos parasitoides de las hormigas de fuego de Argentina y Brasil, para estimar su riqueza y rangos geograficos, para realizar analisis climaticos de sus distribuciones, para definir grupos y comunidades climaticas, y para poner a prueba la regla de Rapoport y un mecanismo que la explique. Ubicacion  Argentina y Brasil (America del Sur). Metodos  Construimos una base de datos de los parasitoides especificos de las hormigas de fuego a lo largo del rango geografico conocido, a partir de datos de colectas de campo, de colecciones de museos, y de registros historicos. Ubicamos en un mapa entre los 10° y 38° LS y entre los 35° y 65° LO, los 123 sitios donde se registraron los parasitoides; en ellos ademas asignamos los valores correspondientes de 15 variables ambientales. Calculamos la riqueza para toda la region asi como para cada provincia fitogeografica, usando curvas de rarefaccion con los estimadores ICE y Mmean. Calculamos los puntos latitudinales medios, los rangos geograficos, y las areas de cada especie. La correlacion entre el punto latitudinal medio y los rangos/areas fue puesta a prueba con la generacion de un modelo nulo producto de la aleatorizacion de las especies. Usamos distintos tipos de analisis multivariados para distinguir grupos de foridos por regiones fitogeograficas, huesped y clima, para encontrar gradientes de clima a lo largo del area estudiada, para definir comunidades de foridos en relacion al clima, y para poner a prueba un mecanismo para la regla de Rapoport. Resultados  Las estimaciones de riqueza, usando ambos estimadores, fue similar o mas alta a la observada dependiendo de las provincias fitogeograficas. Los analisis de clasificacion multivariados basados en provincias fitogeograficas, huespedes y clima, revelaron distintos agrupamientos de Pseudacteon. El grupo del ‘Cerrado’ estuvo confinado a ambientes de savanas. El grupo de ‘Amplia Distribucion’ incluyo al sub-grupo del ‘Chaco’ y al ‘Maritimo’ debido a su respectiva asociacion con la temperatura y precipitacion. Los analisis multivariados de ordenamiento mostraron (1) dos gradientes climaticos en el area de estudio, uno de temperatura y otro de precipitacion, (2) que las variables climaticas explicaron significativamente el ensamble de foridos observado. Los signos, positivos y negativos, de los autovalores de los tres ejes principales del analisis de correspondencia canonica nos permitio definir ocho comunidades cuya distribucion geografica se parecia a la de las provincias fitogeograficas. Encontramos una correlacion positiva y significativa entre las areas geograficas y los puntos latitudinales medios, es mas, el Test de Mantel basado en las variables climaticas permitio identificar un mecanismo para este ensamble de Pseudacteon. Conclusiones principales  Las especies de Pseudacteon con puntos latitudinales medios mayores ocupan areas geograficas mas grandes y confrontan condiciones de stress climatico mayores. Dado que la composicion de las comunidades de Pseudacteon esta en su mayor parte determinada por variables climaticas, la correspondencia climatica entre el sitio de origen y el sitio de liberacion de los parasitoides deberia ser una consideracion importante para la seleccion de especies de foridos para el control biologico.

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