The Argentine ant: challenges in managing an invasive unicolonial pest.
The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, has invaded urban, agricultural, and natural habitats worldwide, causing economic damage and disrupting ecosystem processes. Introduced populations of L. humile and those of many other invasive ants tend to be unicolonial, forming expansive, multiqueened supercolonies that dominate native ant communities and challenge control practices in managed habitats. Argentine ant management typically entails the application of residual insecticide liquids, granules, or baits to only a portion of the colony, resulting in fairly rapid reinfestation. We suggest that prevailing control methodologies are incomplete and not compatible with the behavior, nesting habits, and population structure of this ant, and therefore, more aggressive management strategies are required. Successful eradication efforts against other invasive unicolonial ant species can provide useful insights for local-scale L. humile eradication.
Silverman
Jules
J
Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7613, USA. joules_silverman@ncsu.edu
Brightwell
Robert John
RJ
D000383:Agriculture / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000502:physiology*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods; D007306:Insecticides
D007306:Insecticides