Environmental Entomology (2019) 48, 727-732

M. Pandey, K.M. Addesso, R.S. Archer, S.M. Valles, F. Baysal-Gurel, P.F. Ganter, N.N. Youssef and J.B. Oliver (2019)
Worker size, geographical distribution, and introgressive hybridization of invasive Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Tennessee
Environmental Entomology 48 (3), 727-732
Abstract: Worker size and geographical distribution of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren), black imported fire ants (Solenopsis richteri Forel), and their hybrid (S. invicta × S. richteri) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were evaluated from colonies sampled across Tennessee. The fire ant species and hybrid status were determined using cuticular hydrocarbon and venom alkaloid indices obtained from gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Hybrids were the most common fire ant throughout Tennessee. With the exception of a few isolated S. invicta samples, only hybrids were found in east Tennessee, and hybrids predominated in middle Tennessee. In west Tennessee, mixed populations of S. richteri and hybrids were found. Hybrids were more common in west Tennessee than a survey performed a decade earlier. No statistical differences were detected in the average inter-colonial worker size of S. richteri and hybrids. Likewise, average worker size was not related to geographic location in Tennessee. The similarity in average worker size among hybrid colonies with a wide range of cuticular hydrocarbon and venom alkaloid values suggests introgression was not impacting ant size in colonies sampled throughout Tennessee.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Karla M. Addesso, Steven M. Valles, Jason B. Oliver

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Solenopsis invicta		U.S.A. (SE)
	Solenopsis richteri		U.S.A. (SE)