FIELD EVALUATION OF SYNERGY~R ANT BAIT FOR DIRECT NEST TREATMENT OF TROPICAL FIRE ANT (SOLENOPSIS GEMINATA) AND OTHER NUISANCE ANT SPECIES ON A GOLF RANGE IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

摘要

Tropical fire ant is present in northern Australia, occurring in urban, agricultural and natural environments. Synergy~R Ant Bait was evaluated for direct nest treatment of tropical fire ant (Solenopsis geminata F.) and some native nuisance species ona golf range in Darwin (Australia). Synergy~R was applied directly to nests of tropical fire ant, meat ant (Iridomyrmex sanguineus Forel), pale tyrant ant (Iridomyrmex pallidus Forel) and Monomorium sp. (rothsteini gp) at rates of 1 to 16g per nest andcolony viability evaluated over a period of several months. Almost all nests were eliminated within 37 days and all but two large meat ant nests were inactive by 68 days after application. These two remaining meat ant colonies were considered moribund asthere were very few worker ants active and excavation of the main nest resulted in little or no defensive response from the colony. Synergy~R used as a direct nest treatment provided very effective control of nests of tropical fire ant and several species of nuisance ants in managed turf on a golf range in northern Australia.