1. Bees, wasps, ants, sawflies…

2. HYMENOPTERA Hymen: membrane Ptera: wings Complete Chewing

3. HYMENOPTERA 2 pair or wingless –Both membranous Ovipositor can be a stinger Often complex social order

4. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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!

8. 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

9. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) Larva: white and grublike

10. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) Pupa: idle stage

11. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) Adult: narrow constriction between thorax and abdomen

14. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) Imported about 1930 Ballast of cargo ships

15. NATIVE FIRE ANTS Tropical fire ant Southern fire ant

16. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) HOSTS Omnivore, prefer insects Will feed on germinating seeds

17. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) HOSTS Bite and then sting

18. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) HOSTS Feed on honeydew Deter beneficials and pollinators

19. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) DAMAGE Reduce predation on other plant pests Disruptive mounds in turf and beds Feed on bark of young plants

20. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) DAMAGE Sting –Allergic reactions –Native species don’t leave blister

21. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Reintroduce natural predators: Phorid fly Lay egg on foraging workers Maggot burrows into worker’s head

22. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Reintroduce natural predators: Phorid fly Head falls off Reduces aggressiveness and foraging

23. 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

24. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Reintroduce natural predators: Fungal disease Kills the queen

25. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Reintroduce natural predators: Fungal disease Kills the queen

26. IMPORTED FIRE ANT (91) CONTROL Baits: kill the queen Chemicals: move the mound Sticky bands on trunk Fipronil lasts for one year

27. http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2011 /04/27/135716373/water-cant-put-out-a- fire-ant-rafthttp://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2011 /04/27/135716373/water-cant-put-out-a- fire-ant-raft

28. CONIFER SAWFLIES Not flies Caterpillar-like, have prolegs length of body

29. CONIFER SAWFLIES HOST Pines, as well as other evergreen trees

30. CONIFER SAWFLIES DAMAGE Feed several to a needle Cut needle in half or devour all or it

31. CONIFER SAWFLIES CONTROL Bacillus thuringiensis not effective (not caterpillar)

32. INSECT GALLS (160) Adults lay eggs Plant cells divide faster, hyperplasia Swelling on leaf or stem Larvae develop inside gall, feed on gall

33. INSECT GALLS