Imported fire ants in the southeast

David F. Williams

Treesearch

Imported fire ants in the southeast

Informally Refereed

Authors:

David F. Williams

Year:

1998

Type:

Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

In: Britton, Kerry O., ed. Exotic pests of eastern forests conference proceedings; 1997 April 8-10; Nashville, TN. U.S. Forest Service and Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council: 155.

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Abstract

Two species of imported fire ants were introduced into the U.S. at Mobile, Alabama. The black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel, was introduced around the early 1900's while the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren entered in the late 1930' or early 1940's. The red imported fire ant is the most widespread of the two and presents the greatest problem. From Mobile, these fire ants have spread naturally by such means as mating flights, and floating of colonies on rivers and streams after floods. Most importantly, the ant has spread artificially by the aid of man during shipments of nursery stock containing queens and small colonies. Currently, it infests more than 275 million acres (111 million hectares) in 11 southern states and Puerto Rico.

Parent Publication

Exotic pests of eastern forests conference proceedings

Citation

Williams, David F. 1998. Imported fire ants in the southeast. In: Britton, Kerry O., ed. Exotic pests of eastern forests conference proceedings; 1997 April 8-10; Nashville, TN. U.S. Forest Service and Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council: 155.