D3406: Predation responses of Solenopsis geminata against specific prey items in vegetable fields in northeastern Mexico

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 6, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

LA

Lizeth Almendra-Paxtian, Ph.D.

Posdoc
Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro
Saltillo, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico

Co-Author(s)

SS

Sergio R. Sanchez-Pena

Research Professor
Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro
Saltillo, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico

Biological control in agroecosystems is crucial for limiting excessive growth of herbivorous insect populations, which, if left unchecked, could cause significant economic damage. This study investigated the generalist predatory capacity of the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata, on economically important pests in different crops in Nuevo León, Mexico. We focused on the following pests and one beneficial insect of broccoli and chili pepper crops: Bagrada bug, Bagrada hilaris; diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella; tupelo-blackjack aphid, Aphis coreopsidis; and the ichneumonid parasitoid of P. xylostella, Diadegma insulare. Mealworms, Tenebrio molitor and Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella larvae were tested also as prey items. For some items, we examined the influence of a food bait adjacent to prey on predation. Solenopsis geminata effectively predated Tenebrio molitor and B. hilaris eggs on the ground, and there were no significant differences on predation due to the presence of food bait. There was no predation of A. coreopsidis aphids. The ants protected and tended the aphids; A. coreopsidis is reported as strongly myrmecophilic. The ants predated pupae of P. xylostella (with and without cocoons) immediately; they extracted pupae from cocoons and then introduced them to the anthill. The ants did not attack or consume eggs of P. xylostella, or pupae of D. insulare in the host´s cocoon. This study documents the predatory activity of S. geminata and its ability to attack specific pests from different crops. These observations shed light on ecosystem services from a ubiquitous predator and are relevant for future local integrated pest management decisions.