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Steven M. Valles - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Nine new RNA viruses associated with the fire ant Solenopsis invicta from its native range
Virus Genes, 2019Co-Authors: Steven M. Valles, Adam R. RiversAbstract:The red imported fire ant ( Solenopsis invicta ) escaped its natural enemies when it was introduced into North America in the 1930s from South America. US efforts have focused on discovery of natural enemies, like viruses, to provide sustainable control of the ant. Nine new virus genomes were sequenced from the invasive fire ant Solenopsis invicta using metagenomic RNA sequencing. The virus genomes were verified by Sanger sequencing and random amplification of cDNA ends reactions. In addition to the nine new virus genomes, the previously described Solenopsis viruses were also detected, including Solenopsis invicta virus 1 (SINV-1), SINV-2, SINV-3, SINV-4, SINV-5, and Solenopsis invicta densovirus. The virus sequences came from S. invicta workers, larvae, pupae, and dead workers taken from midden piles collected from across the ant’s native range in Formosa, Argentina. One of the new virus genomes (Solenopsis invicta virus 6) was also detected in populations of North American S. invicta . Phylogenetic analysis of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase, the entire nonstructural polyprotein, and genome characteristics were used to tentatively taxonomically place these new virus genome sequences; these include four new species of Dicistroviridae , one Polycipiviridae , one Iflaviridae , one Totiviridae , and two genome sequences that were too taxonomically divergent to be placed with certainty. The S. invicta virome is the best characterized from any ant species and includes 13 positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses (Solenopsis invicta virus 1 to Solenopsis invicta virus 13), one double-stranded RNA virus (Solenopsis midden virus), and one double-stranded DNA virus (Solenopsis invicta densovirus). These new additions to the S. invicta virome offer potentially new classical biological control agents for S. invicta .
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Complete Genome Sequence of a New Isolate of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 from Solenopsis invicta × richteri Hybrid Ants.
Genome announcements, 2017Co-Authors: Steven M. Valles, Jason B. Oliver, Karla M. AddessoAbstract:Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3) is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that infects the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. We report here the full genome (10,383 nucleotides) of an isolate infecting Solenopsis invicta × richteri hybrid ants, which we have identified as SINV-3 hybrid.
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Solenopsis invicta virus 3: Further host-specificity tests with native Solenopsis ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2015Co-Authors: Sanford D. Porter, Steven M. Valles, Alexander L. Wild, Roberta Dieckmann, Nicola J. R. PlowesAbstract:A thorough understanding of host specificity is essential before pathogens can be used as biopesticides or self-sustaining biocontrol agents. In order to better define the host range of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3), we collected and exposed colonies of 2 native fire ants (Solenopsis aurea Wheeler, Solenopsis xyloni McCook) and 2 native thief ants (Solenopsis carolinensis Forel, Solenopsis molesta [Say]) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to the SINV-3 virus. Despite extreme exposure to the virus, active, replicating infections resulted only in colonies of the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren). These results, combined with a previous study of ants from 13 other genera, strongly support the proposition that the SINV-3 virus can be used safely as either a biopesticide or a self-sustaining biocontrol agent in parts of California, the Caribbean, and other regions of the world where this virus does yet not occur.
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host specificity and colony impacts of the fire ant pathogen Solenopsis invicta virus 3
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2013Co-Authors: Sanford D. Porter, Steven M. VallesAbstract:Abstract An understanding of host specificity is essential before pathogens can be used as biopesticides or self-sustaining biocontrol agents. In order to define the host range of the recently discovered Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3), we exposed laboratory colonies of 19 species of ants in 14 genera and 4 subfamilies to this virus. Despite extreme exposure during these tests, active, replicating infections only occurred in Solenopsis invicta Buren and hybrid (S. invicta × S. richteri) fire ant colonies. The lack of infections in test Solenopsis geminata fire ants from the United States indicates that SINV-3 is restricted to the saevissima complex of South American fire ants, especially since replicating virus was also found in several field-collected samples of the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel. S. invicta colonies infected with SINV-3 declined dramatically with average brood reductions of 85% or more while colonies of other species exposed to virus remained uninfected and healthy. The combination of high virulence and high host specificity suggest that SINV-3 has the potential for use as either a biopesticide or a self-sustaining biocontrol agent.
Sanford D. Porter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Solenopsis invicta virus 3: Further host-specificity tests with native Solenopsis ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2015Co-Authors: Sanford D. Porter, Steven M. Valles, Alexander L. Wild, Roberta Dieckmann, Nicola J. R. PlowesAbstract:A thorough understanding of host specificity is essential before pathogens can be used as biopesticides or self-sustaining biocontrol agents. In order to better define the host range of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3), we collected and exposed colonies of 2 native fire ants (Solenopsis aurea Wheeler, Solenopsis xyloni McCook) and 2 native thief ants (Solenopsis carolinensis Forel, Solenopsis molesta [Say]) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to the SINV-3 virus. Despite extreme exposure to the virus, active, replicating infections resulted only in colonies of the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren). These results, combined with a previous study of ants from 13 other genera, strongly support the proposition that the SINV-3 virus can be used safely as either a biopesticide or a self-sustaining biocontrol agent in parts of California, the Caribbean, and other regions of the world where this virus does yet not occur.
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host specificity and colony impacts of the fire ant pathogen Solenopsis invicta virus 3
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2013Co-Authors: Sanford D. Porter, Steven M. VallesAbstract:Abstract An understanding of host specificity is essential before pathogens can be used as biopesticides or self-sustaining biocontrol agents. In order to define the host range of the recently discovered Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3), we exposed laboratory colonies of 19 species of ants in 14 genera and 4 subfamilies to this virus. Despite extreme exposure during these tests, active, replicating infections only occurred in Solenopsis invicta Buren and hybrid (S. invicta × S. richteri) fire ant colonies. The lack of infections in test Solenopsis geminata fire ants from the United States indicates that SINV-3 is restricted to the saevissima complex of South American fire ants, especially since replicating virus was also found in several field-collected samples of the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel. S. invicta colonies infected with SINV-3 declined dramatically with average brood reductions of 85% or more while colonies of other species exposed to virus remained uninfected and healthy. The combination of high virulence and high host specificity suggest that SINV-3 has the potential for use as either a biopesticide or a self-sustaining biocontrol agent.
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Allomermis solenopsi n. sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) parasitising the fire ant Solenopsi s invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Argentina
Systematic Parasitology, 2007Co-Authors: George O. Poinar, Sanford D. Porter, Sha Tang, Bradley C. HymanAbstract:Allomermis solenopsi n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda) is described from the fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Argentina. Diagnostic characters of the new species include stiff and erect processes on the surface of the mature egg, small female amphids, extension of the latero-medial rows of male genital papillae beyond the middle rows, an obliquely truncate spicule tip and a ventrally swollen male terminus. This is the first record of Allomermis Steiner, 1924 from South America and the first host record for members of this genus. Previous records of mermithids from Solenopsis spp. are summarised. The placement in Allomermis was confirmed by molecular analyses based on nuclear 18S ribosomal DNA sequences, the first such molecular framework for the Mermithidae. The possible life-cycle of the parasite is discussed, with the aim of using A. solenopsi as a biological control agent for fire ants in the United States.
Abdulrahman S. Aldawood - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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DNA barcoding of the fire ant genus Solenopsis Westwood (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Riyadh region, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi journal of biological sciences, 2019Co-Authors: Khawaja Ghulam Rasool, Mureed Husain, Shehzad Salman, Muhammad Tufail, Sukirno Sukirno, Abdulrahman S. AldawoodAbstract:Abstract The ant genus Solenopsis Westwood, 1840 is the largest in Myrmicinae subfamily having almost 200 described species worldwide. They are commonly distributed in the tropics and temperate areas of the world. Some invasive Solenopsis species are very dreadful. We have already reported a fire ant species, Solenopsis saudiensis Sharaf & Aldawood, 2011, identified using traditional morphometric approaches of species identification. Present study was carried out to develop DNA Barcoding to identify Solenopsis saudiensis and to elucidate genetic structure of the various S. saudiensis populations across their distribution range in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The comparison of DNA barcodes showed no genetic diversity among six populations and a queen from S. saudiensis analyzed from the Riyadh region. This genetic resemblance probably reflects their adaptation toward a specific habitat, thus constituting a single and strong gene pool. Our comprehensive field survey did not provide any evidence of Solenopsis species except S. saudiensis in the Riyadh region. Solenopsis saudiensis populations were only found around date palm trees indicating their strong association with date palm groves. Moreover, S. saudiensis has 83–86% sequence identity to other Solenopsis spp. from other parts of the world. Interestingly, the highest sequence identity of (86%) was with that of Solenopsis molesta Say, 1836, the thief ant, from the USA. This study provides a working laboratory procedure and a reference library for the identification of Solenopsis saudiensis.
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Ants of the Genus Solenopsis Westwood 1840 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Arabian Peninsula with Description of a New Species, Solenopsis elhawagryi
PloS one, 2012Co-Authors: Mostafa R Sharaf, Abdulrahman S. AldawoodAbstract:Ants of the genus Solenopsis Westwood in the Arabian Peninsula are revised. Six species are treated: Solenopsis elhawagryi Sharaf & Aldawood sp. n., S. geminata (Fabricius, 1804), S. omana Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, S. saudiensis Sharaf & Aldawood, 2011, S. sumara Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, and S. zingibara Collingwood & Agosti, 1996. Solenopsis elhawagryi is described from Beljorashi Governorate, Al Baha Province, Saudi Arabia, based on worker castes and the queen with notes on this species biology and ecology. Solenopsis sumara workers are redescribed and illustrated for the first time and a lectotype is designated. An identification key to the Arabian and Egyptian species is provided with scanning electron micrographs to facilitate species recognition.
Mostafa R Sharaf - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ants of the Genus Solenopsis Westwood 1840 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Arabian Peninsula with Description of a New Species, Solenopsis elhawagryi
PloS one, 2012Co-Authors: Mostafa R Sharaf, Abdulrahman S. AldawoodAbstract:Ants of the genus Solenopsis Westwood in the Arabian Peninsula are revised. Six species are treated: Solenopsis elhawagryi Sharaf & Aldawood sp. n., S. geminata (Fabricius, 1804), S. omana Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, S. saudiensis Sharaf & Aldawood, 2011, S. sumara Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, and S. zingibara Collingwood & Agosti, 1996. Solenopsis elhawagryi is described from Beljorashi Governorate, Al Baha Province, Saudi Arabia, based on worker castes and the queen with notes on this species biology and ecology. Solenopsis sumara workers are redescribed and illustrated for the first time and a lectotype is designated. An identification key to the Arabian and Egyptian species is provided with scanning electron micrographs to facilitate species recognition.
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ants of the genus Solenopsis westwood 1840 hymenoptera formicidae in egypt with a description of the worker castes of s cooperi donisthorpe 1947
Zootaxa, 2009Co-Authors: Mostafa R Sharaf, Brian Taylor, Christiana KlingenbergAbstract:The Egyptian species of the ant genus Solenopsis Westwood, 1840, are revised and keyed. Four species are recognized: S. cooperi Donisthorpe, 1947; S. lou Forel, 1902; S. occipitalis Santschi, 1911; and S. kochi Finzi, 1936 (stat. n.). Solenopsis occipitalis is recorded for the first time from Egypt. Solenopsis kochi is redescribed and elevated to species rank. Solenopsis bakri Sharaf, 2007 is synonymized under S. cooperi. The workers of S. cooperi are described for the first time, males and alate gynes are measured, and ecological notes on habitats are given. Available literature records of all the species are reviewed.
Sarfraz Ali Shad - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Characterization of inheritance and preliminary biochemical mechanisms of spirotetramat resistance in Phenacoccus Solenopsis Tinsley: An economic pest from Pakistan.
Pesticide biochemistry and physiology, 2019Co-Authors: Masood Ejaz, Sarfraz Ali Shad, Saif Ullah, Nasir Abbas, Muhammad BinyameenAbstract:Phenacoccus Solenopsis is an economically important insect pest of different agronomic and horticultural field crops. In Pakistan, the cotton crop was severely attacked by P. Solenopsis during 2007 and since then a varied group of insecticides are used by farmers to manage this pest. As a result, insecticide resistance has become a barrier in control of P. Solenopsis. The current study was designed to explore the basics of genetics, realized heritability and possible genetic mechanisms of resistance against spirotetramat in P. Solenopsis. Before selection, the wild population (Wild-Pop) showed 5.97-fold resistance when compared with lab-reared susceptible strain (Susceptible Lab-Pop). The P. Solenopsis was selected with spirotetramat to 21 generations, called Spiro-SEL Pop, which showed 463.21-fold resistance as compared with the Susceptible Lab-Pop. The values of LC50 for F1 (Spiro-SEL Pop ♂ × Susceptible Lab-Pop ♀) and F1 (Spiro-SEL Pop ♀ × Susceptible Lab-Pop ♂) populations were statistically similar and values of dominance level were 0.42 and 0.54, respectively. Reciprocal crosses between Susceptible Lab-Pop and Spiro-SEL Pop showed that resistance was of autosomal in nature with incomplete dominant traits. According to the fit test, monogenic model estimation of the number of genes, which are responsible for the development of spirotetramat resistance in a population of P. Solenopsis, showed that multiple genes are involved in controlling the resistance levels in tested strains of P. Solenopsis. The value of heritability for resistance against spirotetramat was 0.13 in P. Solenopsis. Our results suggested the presence of a metabolic-based resistance mechanism associated with the monooxygenases in P. Solenopsis, while testing the synergism mechanism. These results will provide the baseline to design an effective control strategy to manage P. Solenopsis in the field.
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Laboratory selection of chlorpyrifos resistance in an Invasive Pest, Phenacoccus Solenopsis (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae): Cross-resistance, stability and fitness cost.
Pesticide biochemistry and physiology, 2016Co-Authors: Masood Ejaz, Sarfraz Ali Shad, Muhammad Babar Shahzad Afzal, Ghulam Shabbir, José Eduardo Serrão, Wali MuhammadAbstract:Abstract The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus Solenopsis is an important polyphagous sucking pest of ornamentals, horticultural and fiber crops worldwide. Some P. Solenopsis populations have developed insecticide resistance. This study evaluated cross-resistance, stability of insecticide resistance and life history traits affected by chlorpyrifos resistance in P. Solenopsis . After nine generations selected with chlorpyrifos, P. Solenopsis exhibited a 539.76-fold resistance level compared to an unselected population (UNSEL Pop). Chlorpyrifos selected population (Chlor-SEL Pop) displayed moderate cross-resistance to profenofos, nitenpyram and high cross-resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin. Biological parameters of P. Solenopsis were affected by chlorpyrifos resistance. The Chlor-SEL Pop had a significant reduction in fitness (relative fitness = 0.10), along with significant decreases in pupal weight, fecundity, egg hatching %, intrinsic rate of natural population increase, biotic potential, and mean relative growth rate. It is concluded that selection with chlorpyrifos had marked effect on resistance development in P. Solenopsis and upon removal of selection pressure chlorpyrifos resistance declined significantly indicating unstable resistance. Development of resistance led to high fitness costs for the chlorpyrifos-selected strain. These findings should be helpful for better and more successful resistance management of P. Solenopsis .
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Resistance risk analysis to acetamiprid and other insecticides in Acetamiprid-Selected population of Phenacoccus Solenopsis
Phytoparasitica, 2016Co-Authors: Mamuna Ijaz, Muhammad Babar Shahzad Afzal, Sarfraz Ali ShadAbstract:Acetamiprid is a new chemical insecticide recommended for the control of a number of insect pests, including cotton mealybug Phenacoccus Solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). We report the risk of resistance evolution to acetamiprid and three other insecticides (imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin) in P. Solenopsis . After 24 generations of selection with acetamiprid, P. Solenopsis developed a high level of resistance (10631-fold) compared to the susceptible strain. Realized heritability of resistance for acetamiprid, imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin was 0.21, 0.12, 0.11 and 0.09, respectively. The projected rate of resistance development indicated that if mortality is 30% at each generation then a ten-fold increase in resistance was to be expected after 24 and 20 generations for acetamiprid ( h ^ 2 = 0.1, slope = 1.16) and imidacloprid ( h ^ 2 = 0.12, slope = 1.20), respectively, and after 29 generations for chlorpyrifos ( h ^ 2 = 0.1, slope = 1.44) and deltamethrin ( h ^ 2 = 0.08, slope = 1.13). Therefore, P. Solenopsis has the ability to develop resistance under continuous selection pressure. This study will contribute to the design of a pest management strategy for P. Solenopsis .
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characterization of phenacoccus Solenopsis tinsley homoptera pseudococcidae resistance to emamectin benzoate cross resistance patterns and fitness cost analysis
Neotropical Entomology, 2016Co-Authors: M B S Afzal, Sarfraz Ali ShadAbstract:Cotton mealybug Phenacoccus Solenopsis (Tinsley) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) is a sucking pest of worldwide importance causing huge losses by feeding upon cotton in various parts of the world. Because of the importance of this pest, this research was carried out to select emamectin resistance in P. Solenopsis in the laboratory to study cross-resistance, stability, realized heritability, and fitness cost of emamectin resistance. After selection from third generation (G3) to G6, P. Solenopsis developed very high emamectin resistance (159.24-fold) when compared to a susceptible unselected population (Unsel pop). Population selected to emamectin benzoate conferred moderate (45.81-fold), low (14.06-fold), and no cross-resistance with abamectin, cypermethrin, and profenofos, respectively compared to the Unsel pop. A significant decline in emamectin resistance was observed in the resistant population when not exposed to emamectin from G7 to G13. The estimated realized heritability (h 2) for emamectin resistance was 0.84. A high fitness cost was associated with emamectin resistance in P. Solenopsis. Results of this study may be helpful in devising insecticide resistance management strategies for P. Solenopsis.
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Genetic analysis, realized heritability and synergistic suppression of indoxacarb resistance in Phenacoccus Solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)
Crop Protection, 2016Co-Authors: Muhammad Babar Shahzad Afzal, Sarfraz Ali ShadAbstract:Abstract Cotton mealybug Phenacoccus Solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) has caused huge crop and economic losses in different countries of the world including Pakistan. Considering P. Solenopsis as a key cotton pest, research was conducted to understand genetics, realized heritability and preliminary mechanism of indoxacarb resistance. As a result of selection with indoxacarb, P. Solenopsis developed a 2223.13-fold resistance after five generations. Indoxacarb resistance was autosomal in nature, and the degree of dominance for F1 and F1′ was 0.60 and 0.62, respectively, indicating the incomplete dominance of indoxacarb resistance. A monogenic model of inheritance also showed the involvement of multiple loci in indoxacarb resistance in P. Solenopsis. Realized heritability for indoxacarb resistance was markedly high (h2 = 1.13) in P. Solenopsis suggesting how quickly resistance can develop as a result of selection. Synergism tests with piperonylbutoxide (PBO) and S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF) also suggested that indoxacarb resistance in P. Solenopsis was metabolism-based due to possible involvement of both mono-oxygenases and esterases. Hence, it was concluded that indoxacarb resistance in P. Solenopsis was autosomal, incompletely dominant, polygenic and metabolism-based. These findings will be helpful in the management of P. Solenopsis.
