Browsing by Subject "Ants -- Texas"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item A survey for pathogens associated with the ants of West Texas (especially the Solenopsis spp.)(Texas Tech University, 1980-05) Beckham, Richard D.Representative samples of 113 different ant species from west Texas (west of the l00th Meridian) were examined for the occurrence of indigenous pathogens. Samples of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, taken from the south central and south eastern part of Texas were also examined for indigenous pathogens. This survey was conducted to lay the groundwork studying the possible suppression by pathogens of the red imported fire ant in its westward movement. Samples were taken at 404 locations throughout the study areas. In the examination of 2,525 samples for the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, only an occasional occurrence of a pathogen was detected. It appears that the potential for using pathogens presently associated with ant species to inhibit the westward migration of the red imported fire ant is small and that alternate methods of control must be investigated.Item Effect of Solenopsis invicta buren territoriality on native ants of central Texas(Texas Tech University, 1985-08) Claborn, David MNot availableItem Foraging and recruitment abilities of Solenopsis invicta Buren, compared with other ant species indigenous to Texas(Texas Tech University, 1985-05) Jones, Stanley RSince its accidental introduction into Mobile, Alabama, the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invlcta Buren, has become an economic pest of much of the southern United States. Each year this ant continues to expand its range. Why S. invicta is able to successfully colonize areas previously inhabited by multifarious ant species is not understood. Possible explanations include its aggressive behavior, large colony size, and foraging efficiency. This study was conducted to compare the foraging efficiency of S. invicta to three ant species native to south central Texas. Native ants studied include Pheidole dentata Mayr, Monomorium minimum (Buckley) , and Forelius foetidus (Buckley) . Temporal recruitment and food retrieval patterns were recorded and compared for all four species held at equal colony strengths. Results indicate that interspecific differences in recruitment patterns do occur. However, these differences are subtle and do not suggest that S. invicta is a more efficient forager under laboratory conditions, than the other three species.