Solenopsis invicta virus 3: Can it be developed as a biopesticide to control Solenopsis invicta?

Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3) was delivered in various bait formulations to fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) colonies.  Three bait formulations (10% sugar solution, cricket paste, and soybean oil adsorbed to defatted corn grit) effectively transmitted SINV-3 infections to S. invicta colonies.   Correspondingly, viral infection was shown to be detrimental to colony health and productivity.  The study provides the first successful demonstration of SINV-3 as a potential biopesticide against fire ants.