Ten releases of Pseudacteon decapitating flies (Diptera: Phoridae), a classical biological control agent of imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the southern United States, were made at 8 different sites in Georgia (USA) over a period spanning 2000 - 2012. Intensive monitoring and survey activities were initiated in 2008 to delineate the dispersal and occurrence of the Pseudacteon spp. in the state. Results show that all 159 counties in Georgia have at least 1 species of Pseudacteon; P. curvatus Borgmeier is established 129 of those counties, P. tricuspis Borgmeier is established in 70 counties, and P. obtusus Borgmeier is established in the county in which it was released. Both P. curvatus and P. tricuspis occur together in 39 counties, and all 3 of the Pseudacteon species occur in the 1 county in which all 3 species were released. These results help target supplemental or additional releases of P. tricuspis, P. curvatus, and P. obtusus as well as releases of other candidate Pseudacteon species.
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1 July 2013
Occurrence of Phorid Fly (Diptera: Phoridae) Parasitoids of Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Georgia
Wayne A. Gardner,
Harold B. Peeler,
Stanley K. Diffie
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Journal of Entomological Science
Vol. 48 • No. 3
July 2013
Vol. 48 • No. 3
July 2013
biological control
classical biological control
distribution
occurrence
Pseudacteon curvatus
Pseudacteon obtusus
Pseudacteon tricuspis