Interspecific competition among Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae), biological control agents of red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Multiple species of Pseudacteon phorid flies have been released in the United States as biological control agents of red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta.  Previous studies found that one established species was competitively displaced after the release of an additional species.  It is possible that this will occur with other Pseudacteon species as they are released.  Possible interspecific competition among Pseudacteon spp. was investigated in a laboratory experiment.