Interaction of an entomopathogen with an insect social form: an epizootic of Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporidia) in a population of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta

• Published in: Journal of invertebrate pathology Vol. 88; no. 1; pp. 79 - 82
• Main Authors: Fuxa, James R., Milks, Maynard L., Sokolova, Yuliya Y., Richter, Arthur R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Ants - parasitology; Ants, monogyne; Ants, polygyne; Biological and medical sciences; Biological control; biological control agents; colony size; Control; disease outbreaks; disease prevalence; Entomopathogen; entomopathogenic protozoa; fire ants; Formicidae; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Host-Parasite Interactions; Hymenoptera; infection; insect colonies; Insect pathogen; Microsporida - physiology; Microsporidia; Microsporidiosis - epidemiology; Microsporidium; monogyne colonies; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; polygyne colonies; Prevalence; Prevalence of; Protozoa. Invertebrates; protozoal infections; Social form; social insects; Solenopsis invicta; Thelohania solenopsae; Louisiana; United States; North America; America; USA, Louisiana; Entomopathogen; Formicidae; Prevalence of; Biological control; Ants, monogyne; Ants, polygyne; Microsporidium; Insect pathogen; Social form; Hymenoptera; Protozoa; Prevalence; Insecta; Parasite; Formicoidea; Microsporidia; Epizootics; Solenopsis invicta; Microsporidium; Prevalence of; Social form; Ants; Cnidosporidia; polygyne; Hymenoptera; Formicidae; Biological control; Entomopathogen; Insect pathogen; Pest; Microbiological control; monogyne; Ants; Arthropoda; Invertebrata; Aculeata
• ISSN: 0022-2011; 1096-0805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2004.10.001

This is the first report of Thelohania solenopsae infections in monogyne (single-queen) Solenopsis invicta colonies in the field. In a 0.2-ha plot near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, inter-colony prevalence was 63% infection in June, 1999, when the population was 100% monogyne. In February, 2000, 21% of 33 monogyne and 90% of 10 polygyne colonies were infected. By May, 2001, the polygyne colonies had disappeared and only one of 34 monogyne colonies was infected, the final detection of T. solenopsae in the plot. Colony size did not differ significantly among the four types (monogyne versus polygyne × infected versus uninfected).