A Survey of Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Species and Social Forms Across Four Counties In East-Central Mississippi

Authors

T. O. Menzel, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
D. C. Cross, Mississippi State University
J. Chen, USDA-ARS
M. A. Caprio, Mississippi State University

Abstract

Molecular technology allows researchers to definitively identify red imported fire ants as either monogyne or polygyne based on the alleles present at the single gene Gp-9. This technique has not previously been applied to hybrid individuals of the red and black imported fire ants. Specimens were collected from 81 imported fire ant colonies from 27 locations over a four county area within the imported fire ant hybrid zone in east-central Mississippi. Gas chromatograph analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons and venom alkaloids was used to determine the species or species hybrid status of all colonies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the alleles present at the Gp-9 locus. All colonies were determined to be hybrid imported fire ants, and 14 colonies from seven locations possessed the Gp-9b allele, which is associated with polygyny. These 14 colonies are the first such colonies of hybrid imported fire ants shown to possess the alleles at Gp-9 associated with polygyny.

Recommended Citation

Menzel, T. O.; Cross, D. C.; Chen, J.; and Caprio, M. A. (2008) "A Survey of Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Species and Social Forms Across Four Counties In East-Central Mississippi," Midsouth Entomologist: Vol. 1: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/midsouthent/vol1/iss1/2