Virus found to infect fire ants

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darius So.App.Mtns., United States(Zone 5b) Dec 16, 2004

USDA scientists identified the first virus that infects imported red fire ants. Florida surveys revealed that 23% of mounds were infected with the virus, and scientists were successful in transferring the disease to new mounds. The virus has potential as a biological pesticide. In lab studies the virus killed fire ant populations over a period of months, but it's unclear what effect is has in field populations.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2004/041130.htm?pf=1

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bogman Cleveland, OH Dec 17, 2004

I also read a few months ago that there is a wasp that attacks fire ants, and actually decapitates them, There is of course that concern that the wasp could also become a problem.

The virus sounds like a reasonable control, though fire ants are not a problem this far north....yet. They recently discovered a virus that attacks mutiflora rose too. It's doing a number on the mutifloras in the local park.

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jessamine Fort Wayne, IN(Zone 5a) Dec 17, 2004

Let's hope the cure is not as bad as the disease. Jessamine

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