| dc.description.abstract | The dark rover ant Brachymyrmex patagonicus has within recent years expanded its range in the United States and has become more prevalent in urban environments. This ant is an invasive species that is native to South America, and very little is known about it. Therefore, the research addressed the reproduction, foraging behavior, mechanical vector potential, food lure preference, and control of B. patagonicus.
Field collected colonoids of B. patagonicus were utilized in this laboratory research and were placed in 15 cm petri dishes. The ants were held under constant environmental conditions for 4 months and number of eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults were documented.
Results indicated that the optimal temperature for B. patagonicus is 30◦C and that development time is 33 d. Results of the laboratory foraging bioassays indicated that B. patagonicus will readily move the colony to be in close proximity of food and water. Data from these trials also solidified that foragers must be in contact with queen and brood in order to forage.
Data from laboratory trials showed that B. patagonicus can vector E. coli to at least 2.0 m. Albeit, as distance increased, the number of E. coli colonies decreased. Based on these data, B. patagonicus should be considered a pest of medical concern.
Results of the laboratory trials indicated that B. patagonicus foragers preferred carbohydrates in the laboratory, but in field trials the foragers preferred carbohydrates in the winter and spring and protein in the fall and summer. The data suggested that this species will switch food lure preference based on time of year.
Two field trials and one laboratory trial, were conducted as a part of this research. In field trial #1, 30 structures with exterior infestations of B. patagonicus were located and treated with a liquid sprayable application. At 30 d post-treatment Demand CS showed the greatest reduction in the ants. In the laboratory trial, both granular and gel baits were utilized. The gel baits caused more mortality than the granular baits at 11 d post-treatment. In field trial #2, 32 structures with exterior infestations of B. patagonicus were utilized. Multiple treatment strategies were used and results showed that the gel bait only application had the highest percent control at 90 d post-treatment. | en |
