Insect Management
Red Imported Fire Ants
Environmental and Economic Impacts
Red imported fire ants can have positive and negative impacts on the
environment and the life in it. However, to most of the public, fire ants'
impact can only be considered negative.
Environmental
Positive Impact
As generalist feeders, they can have more than one food source, and other
insects are often their prey.
Researchers have found that RIFA can be beneficial in sugarcane and cotton
fields. The ants predate on many of the lepidopteran larva found in these
agronomic situations. For example, in sugarcane RIFA are known to feed on
sugarcane borer larva. Whereas in cotton they feed on several of the pests
present there. Research in cotton has found that the presence of 4 fire ants per
boll can have a positive impact on cotton. As ground dwellers these ants are
also known to prey upon the susceptible stages of fleas and ticks. This is a
positive note for cattlemen attempting to deal with RIFA.
Negative Impact
However, due to their competitiveness, it has been noted that there are
decreases in the diversity and number of other ant species once RIFA infests an
area. They also been found to affect wildlife, especially ground nesting species
such as rodents, bobwhites, and deer.
Economic
The economic impact of RIFA is a definite negative. However, the actual
economic impact is difficult to define due to the vast areas and types of
situations it impacts. The average homeowner can spend hundreds of dollars a
year in control measures. For example, a survey conducted in Arkansas found that
$265/ household was lost to fire ants. Urban homeowners (<1 acre of land)
reported an average of $87.00 lost, while rural homeowners (>1 acre of land)
reported losses of $298.00.
Back to Red
Imported Fire Ant |
