Toxicity tests of plants of southern China on Solenopsis invicta Buren: three bioassays

• Grant number: 12/06845-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Applied Botany
• Principal Investigator: Déborah Yara Alves Cursino dos Santos
• Grantee: Milena Timich
• Supervisor: Jian Chen
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Biological Control of Pests Research Unit (BCPRU), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/20019-2 - Effect of extracts of Croton urucurana Baill: on Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, BP.IC

Abstract

The red imported fire ants (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren, arrived in the United States of America around 1930. This ant spreads easily because of the lack of natural control agents and its success on occupying environments created by men. RIFAs are of great economical importance because they feed on plants, arthropods, birds and some reptiles. Currently there is great demand for natural insecticides and therefore a great demand for effective and rapid bioassays. The objective of this project is to learn and perfect new techniques for bioassays. Therefore three bioassays will be done: contact toxicity bioassay, repellency bioassay and mound treatment evaluation. At the end the data will be analyzed and a manuscript will be written. (AU)