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Research Priorities for Urban Ants in Hawaii. Neil Reimer Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture. Hawaii Ant Fauna. 54 species All alien species Not all invasive 16 significant pest problems. New Ant Species Discovered in Hawaii. Pest Ants. * Pheidole megacephala * Anoplolepis gracilipes
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Research Priorities for Urban Ants in Hawaii Neil ReimerHawaii Dept. of Agriculture
Hawaii Ant Fauna • 54 species • All alien species • Not all invasive • 16 significant pest problems
Pest Ants • * Pheidole megacephala • * Anoplolepis gracilipes • * Ochetellus glaber • * Tapinoma melanocephalum • * Technomyrmex albipes • * Camponotus variegatus • * Plagiolepis alluaudi • * Monomorium pharaonis
Pest Ants (cont) • Pseudomyrmex gracilis • Paratrechina bourbonica • Paratrechina longicornis • Monomorium destructor • Monomorium floricola • Solenopsis geminata • Wasmannia auropunctata
Pest Ants - occasional • Hypoponera opaciceps (alates) • Brachymyrmex obscurior (alates) • Linepithema humile (not significant)
Camponotus variegatus • Carpenter ant
Anoplolepis gracilipes • Long legged ant
Ochetellus glaber • Glaber ant
Plagiolepis alluaudi • Small yellow house ant
Technomyrmex albipes • White footed ant
Tapinoma melanocephalum • Ghost ant
Pseudomyrmex gracilis • Mexican ant, long twig ant
Wasmannia auropunctata • Little fire ant
Solenopsis invicta • Red imported fire ant
Indoors Gels *Optigard (thiamethoxam) *Advion (indoxacarb) Spray *Phantom (chlorfenapyr) *Termidor (fipronil) bifenthrin cyfluthrin imidichloprid Outdoors *Termidor Talstar granules (bifentrhin) bifenthrin deltamethrin Formicides being used (PMP’s)
Pro’s and Con’s of Tools • Most use backpack sprayer for exterior • Con – labor time • Pro – direct treatment, less pesticide • Termidor – only every 6 mo. • Need other tools for Q’ly visits • “non-repellants” (Phantom) interior are working and replace baits
Research Needs • Tools for tropical species • Tools for arboreal ants • More effective baits, granules, liquids • Quick activity • If not for “non-repellants” would still be using “trial by error” (i.e., boric acid plus feeding stimulant- mint, guava, strawberry jelly)
Pesticide runoff issues? • Always big concern • Many streams, ponds, ocean, wells • Try to avoid truck mounted power sprayers – use backpack sprayer • Use granules and baits • Educate techs in IPM methods