The Red Imported Fire Ant has many undisputed pestiferous qualities, but may be an important predator of key soybean pests. A two-year study investigated the effect of fire ant exclusion from soybean in South Georgia. Test plots were either untreated, treated with Amdro bait (hydramethylnon) alone or in combination with chlorpyriphos. Fire ant abundance was drastically reduced in treated plots. Foliage insects were sampled throughout the season for herbivores and natural enemies. Additionally Soybean Looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), egg and pupal survival was quantified in all treatments. Egg and pupal survival was increased in plots with reduced Fire ant abundance.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Formicidae Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant)
Species 2: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Pseudoplusia includens (soybean looper)
Keywords: biological control, glycine max
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA