title: Impact of imidacloprid on new queens of imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
abstract: Neonicotinoid insecticides are commonly used in managing pest insects, including the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. There is increasing evidence that neonicotinoid insecticides at sublethal concentrations have profound effects on social insects. However, the sublethal effect of neonicotinoids on S. invicta has never been investigated. In this study, the newly mated queens were fed with water containing 0.01 or 0.25 μg/ml imidacloprid. Imidacloprid at both concentrations did not cause any increase in queen mortality during the founding stage; however, it significantly reduced queens' brood tending ability. In the 0.25 μg/ml imidacloprid treatment, the time to larval emergence was significantly delayed and no pupae or adult workers were produced. This study provides clear evidence that imidacloprid at sublethal concentrations has a significant detrimental impact on S. invicta queens and the development of incipient colonies.
authors.affiliation: College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: National Biological Control Laboratory, Southeast Area, Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 59 Lee Road, Stoneville, MS 38776.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D007306:Insecticides; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds; C082359:imidacloprid