Studies On Monitoring Box Of Solenopsis Invicta(Hymenoptera: Formicidae)and Its Application In Container Quarantine

Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren, commonly known as the Red imported fire ant,RIFA) is an invasive organism which is extremely harmful and dangerous.In recent years, in our country ports of Entry-Exit, the living fire ants were intercepted many times from foreign entry quarantine objects, likes as waste papers, logs etc, which are some of the high-risk quarantine objects carrying fire ants. Due to the large size of the waste papers and logs always stored in multi-purpose container, it is very difficult for port workers to inspect, therefore, the goods and transport with fire ants are easily spread. It is urgent to find out an effective trap device which can monitor and ensnare fire ants pests.In this study the bait for monitoring and quarantining of Solenopsis invicta was screened out, a kind of monitor box for port quarantine to the imported fire ant was developed and its application tests in container have been done.The bait composed of fish meal, fish peptone, honey, peanut oil according to the proportion of quantity is effective for the imported fire ant within 1.8 m. Considering the actual application in port, the type of the bait choose colloidal is better. Comparing the bait C (fish meal 50g+fish specially designed 40g+ 10%, 20g honey+peanut oil 20ml) preservated in room temperature with those in refrigerator, the bait C placed in the refrigerator is better, the expiration period 1-2 months is preferred. Through the four different number of bait tests, it was showed that the baits could trap ants better when 4-6 baits were put around the ant colony evenly, excessive baits may affect fire ant foraging position.The queen presence tests also affected the ability of ants in searching for food when the queen is presented.The containers application tests were fulfilled with the baits at the distance of 3.3 m, 6 m and 10 m and the density of the pest is about or more than 7 insects per cubic meter. The capture efficiency of the monitor box on the both container sides is better than the other locations. The highest amount of ants were achieved in 6 hours which was suggested as a recommendable time for port quarantine. Container with waste paper testes show the detection rate of pest is about 71% when the population density is 9 insects per cubic meter, and the distance is 5.0 m from the release point in 6 hours. Therefore, 2 to 4 monitors on both sides in the container, vehicle or other means of transport, lasting for 4 to 6 hours should be suggested as a new technique for plant quarantine and supervision of S. invicta.