Bees, wasps, ants, sawflies…
HYMENOPTERA Hymen: membrane Ptera: wings Complete Chewing
HYMENOPTERA 2 pair or wingless –Both membranous Ovipositor can be a stinger Often complex social order
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91)
Fire Ants Winged males and females fly as high as 2000’ to mateWinged males and females fly as high as 2000’ to mate Go as far as 3 milesGo as far as 3 miles 99.9% of winged ants die from predation99.9% of winged ants die from predation
Fire Ants The lucky queen burrows into ground and raises a few workersThe lucky queen burrows into ground and raises a few workers She eats her wings for nutrition until workers bring foodShe eats her wings for nutrition until workers bring food
Fire Ants Queen lays 100,000 to 300,000 eggs a year She can live as long as 7 years That’s almost 21 million eggs!
Fire Ants Workers bring food to larvae Larvae predigest food for adult ants They are the “food testers” Bait insecticides work slow enough to make it to the queen
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) Larva: white and grublike
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) Pupa: idle stage
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) Adult: narrow constriction between thorax and abdomen
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) Imported about 1930 Ballast of cargo ships
NATIVE FIRE ANTS Tropical fire ant Southern fire ant
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) HOSTS Omnivore, prefer insects Will feed on germinating seeds
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) HOSTS Bite and then sting
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) HOSTS Feed on honeydew Deter beneficials and pollinators
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) DAMAGE Reduce predation on other plant pests Disruptive mounds in turf and beds Feed on bark of young plants
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) DAMAGE Sting –Allergic reactions –Native species don’t leave blister
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Reintroduce natural predators: Phorid fly Lay egg on foraging workers Maggot burrows into worker’s head
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Reintroduce natural predators: Phorid fly Head falls off Reduces aggressiveness and foraging
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Reintroduce natural predators: Parasitic ants Lack workers, only queens and males Parasitic ant attaches to IFA queen Redirects workers to her colony IFA colony deteriorates
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Reintroduce natural predators: Fungal disease Kills the queen
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Reintroduce natural predators: Fungal disease Kills the queen
IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Baits: kill the queen Chemicals: move the mound Sticky bands on trunk Fipronil lasts for one year
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CONIFER SAWFLIES Not flies Caterpillar-like, have prolegs length of body
CONIFER SAWFLIES HOST Pines, as well as other evergreen trees
CONIFER SAWFLIES DAMAGE Feed several to a needle Cut needle in half or devour all or it
CONIFER SAWFLIES CONTROL Bacillus thuringiensis not effective (not caterpillar)
INSECT GALLS (160) Adults lay eggs Plant cells divide faster, hyperplasia Swelling on leaf or stem Larvae develop inside gall, feed on gall
INSECT GALLS