The little decapitating fly Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae) from Argentina was released as a self-sustaining biological control agent against the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Florida to parasitize small fire ant workers associated with multiple-queen colonies. This fly appears to be established at 2 of 5 release sites, but populations still remain very low (≤ 1% of total Pseudacteon flies) and localized more than 2 yr after their release. Further releases of P. cultellatus in the United States should be limited to a few additional sites in different habitats or climatic regions where this fly might be more successful.
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1 December 2013
Release and Establishment of the Little Decapitating Fly Pseudacteon cultellatus (Diptera: Phoridae) on Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Florida
Sanford D. Porter,
Vivek Kumar,
Luis A. Calcaterra,
Juan A. Briano,
Dakshina R. Seal
Florida Entomologist
Vol. 96 • No. 4
December 2013
Vol. 96 • No. 4
December 2013
biological control
Control biológico
field release
liberaciones de campo
Solenopsis invicta