In July of 1998, the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, was found in Doņa Ana County, New Mexico. After the initial identification, S. invicta populations have disappeared. This study looks at the influence of humidity and phorids on the competition between the native southern fire ant, S. xyloni, and S. invicta. The relative importance of phorids and humidity levels to fire ant fitness is evaluated. The southern fire ant may have the competitive advantage in irrigated settings in semiarid habitats.
Species 1: hymenoptera formicidae Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant)
Species 2: hymenoptera formicidae Solenopsis xyloni (southern fire ant)
Keywords: competition, semi-arid habitat
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