Fire Ant-Detecting Canines: A Complementary Method in Detecting Red Imported Fire Ants

摘要

[[abstract]]In this investigation, detection dogs are trained and used in identifying red imported�re ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, and their nests. The methodology could assist in reducing thefrequency and scope of chemical treatments for red imported �re ant management and thus reducelabor costs and chemical use as well as improve control and quarantine ef�ciency. Three dogspreviously trained for customs quarantine were retrained to detect the scents of red imported �re ants.After passing tests involving different numbers of live red imported �re ants and three other antspecies�Crematogaster rogenhoferi Mayr, Paratrechina longicornis Latreille, and Pheidole megacephalaF.�placed in containers, a joint �eld survey for red imported �re ant nests by detection dogs and baittraps was conducted to demonstrate their use as a supplement to conventional detection methods. Themost signi�cant �ndings in this report are 1) with 10 or more red imported �re ants in scent containers,the dogs had 98% chance in tracing the red imported �re ant. Upon the introduction of other antspecies, the dogs still achieved on average, a 93% correct red imported �re ant indication rate.Moreover, the dogs demonstrated great competence in pinpointing emerging and smaller red imported�re ant nests in red imported �re ant-infested areas that had been previously con�rmed by baittrap stations. 2) Along with the bait trap method, we also discovered that 90% of red imported �reants foraged within a distance of 14 m away from their nests. The results prove detection dogs to bemost effective for red imported �re ant control in areas that have been previously treated withpesticides and therefore containing a low density of remaining red imported �re ant nests. Furthermore,as a complement to other red imported �re ant monitoring methods, this strategy will significantlyincrease the ef�cacy of red imported �re ant control in cases of individual mount treatment.