Mechanical transmisson potential of Nylanderia sp. nr. pubens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) using fluorescently labeled Escherichia coli

Since 2002, robust densities of Rasberry crazy ants, Nylanderia sp. nr. pubens, have been found in localized infestations in southeast Texas. As the range of this new invasive pest expands, additional human-valued goods and service industries will become threatened. Hospitals and convalescent homes within the current range of this ant have reported infestations. This is particularly concerning with regards to the potential for this insect to serve as a vector for pathogenic microorganisms. In a bio-safety level 2 laboratory, cohorts of Rasberry crazy ants, N. sp. nr. pubens, were exposed to cultures of Escherichia coli (Top 10 laboratory strain labeled with DsRed-Express protein and a kanamycin resistance gene) and then allowed to move across adjoining sterile culture plates (LB kanamycin) through a system of various lengths of Tygon® tubing, separating their nesting chamber from a food source. Pilot studies demonstrated that N. sp. nr. pubens readily transferred this bacterial strain to previously unexposed agar surfaces. This implicates N. sp. nr. pubens is capable of transferring similar pathogenic microorganisms in medically sensitive environments.