Impact of methoprene and pyriprioxyfen on Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera: Phoridae), a parasitoid of the red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Endoparasitoid phorid flies, Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae) have received much attention as biological control agents of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). However, the impact of insecticides used in controlling imported fire ants on phorid flies has yet to be explored. Red imported fire ants parasitized by Pseudacteon tricuspis were exposed to methoprene and pyriproxyfen, active ingredients commonly used in fire ant baits. These chemicals are insect growth regulators (IGRs) and have little effect on fire ant workers. The experiment consisted of six treatments: 2 IGRs, 2 different larval locations in the host, and 2 controls. After monitoring emergence from decapitated heads, an impact on developing P. tricuspis was observed.