Challenges For Successful Management Of Pachycondyla Chinensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract:
Pachycondyla chinensis (Emery), the Asian needle ant, is an invasive, stinging ant established in the United States. It is known to displace both native and invasive ant species such as Linepithema humile (Mayr), the Argentine ant. It can be medically important to people who are allergic to arthropod stings and may cause anaphylaxis in hypersensitive individuals. Successful management of P. chinensis has proven to be difficult using traditional treatment methods with liquid insecticides or bait products. Although P. chinensis readily consumed toxic bait products in a laboratory study, it was not effectively managed in the field during seasonal periods of peak activity. Perimeter and targeted treatments using liquid insecticides were variable. Although targeted treatments were more successful, P. chinensis colonies were not eliminated. The potential reasons for inadequate population reduction are based on P. chinensis behavior and nest site distribution.