Microscopic flies to control ant populations-released

[Janice]

This research and application has been going on for a while.


These microscopic flies are used to become parasitic to the fire ant. They bite and infect the ant with a larva which proceeds to eat the ant from the inside. The larva eventually eats the brain of the ant and decapitates the ant. At this point the fly is formed to infect the rest of the ants.

These flies are released now
So maybe, because of possible gene transfer of genetically modified plants, especially the bacteria they use to graft the different DNA together, has attracted these specific flies to us out of confusion, being they are attracted to fungus.
The increase of these particular flies in our environment, and GMO's... are they part of the perfect storm called morgellons?



Discover Entomology at Texas A&M University


More info coming in next post.



I

[Janice]

Pseudacteon spp.

[Janice]

Kneallhazia (=Thelohania) solenopsae infection rate of Pseudacteon curvatus flies determined by multiplex PCR. - Free Online Library

[Janice]

Take note on the last paragraph.





Kill and Control - Phorid Flies

[Janice]

This release of larva infected ants is considered a success.




Fire ant-attacking fly spreading rapidly in Texas

[Janice]

Newly Reclassified Protozoa at Work

ARS researchers have also assembled and maintain invertebrate protist collections at three research locations for the purpose of in-house and joint projects.

At the Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), in Gainesville, Florida, researchers are using a collection of microsporidia-formerly classified as protozoa and now considered fungi-to act as soldiers of biological warfare at the tiniest level. Species of these spore-producing parasites, such as Kneallhazia solenopsae, are being used to bring about declines in red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) populations. In Argentina, these infectious soldiers are associated with localized declines of 53 percent to 100 percent in fire ant populations, according to CMAVE entomologist David Oi.

In addition, Oi and CMAVE colleagues Sanford Porter and Steven Valles were able to get K. solenopsae to infect phorid flies without harming them. That's important because the flies may serve as vectors to infect red imported fire ants with the microsporidia-perhaps facilitating the spread of infection to other colonies.

K. solenopsae not only reduces fire ant colony size, it also reduces the number of reproducing ants, decreases the survival of queens, and increases the mortality rate of colonies, says Oi. The collection enables scientists to research the potential for using these and other microbes as biocontrol agents.

In Sidney, Montana, ARS scientists at the Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory used the U.S. Rangeland Grasshopper Collection's microsporidia holdings to develop the first microbial control agent registered for use in the United States against grasshoppers. Largescale outbreaks of grasshoppers occur about every 8 to 10 years. In 2001, such an outbreak caused an estimated $25 million of damage to crops in Utah alone.

And researchers at the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center in Manhattan, Kansas, maintain protozoa in a collection that is used to develop biocontrol agents against beetles and other bugs that burrow into stored grain products.-By Rosalie Marion Bliss and Sharon Durham, ARS.

[Janice]

Beauveria bassiana

*** There is also a fungus, which attacks fire ants like most other insects. This fungus is Beauveria bassiana and the one affecting fire ants were discovered in Brazil in 1987. This fungus when sporulating produces microscopic spores that deposits on the ant's body, germinates and grow inside the ant.* The fungus will then feed on the nutrients available on the internal organs of the ants. Eventually the ant weakens, dies and its body fills up with the fungal growth. The fungus will then form conidia's and sporulate; the spores are then dispersed and infect other fire ants. (Drees et al, 1999). When a pasture in Florida was applied with B. bassiana Bb447 on tops of mounds, 55% of the live ants were infected and 30% of the mounds were destroyed. The other 70% remained active or formed active new mounds within two months. When the injection of the Bb447 powder was done during early summer or late fall, the results were 52 to 60% infection of live ants. Another effective way of using B. bassiana was by mixing with a hydrophobic silica carrier; this resulted in a 52% reduction in active mounds. The injection of the silica carrier alone resulted in a 41% reduction. The Bb447 reduced foraging of red fire ants significantly compared to areas, which were not treated with the fungal formulation. As a result, foraging of other species increased in treated areas (Oi et al, 1994).

*** Spraying is one way to infect fire ants with B. bassiana, another way of applying the fungus is by preparing conidia formulated in baits. Liquid baits where more effective at causing mortality among workers. Effective mortality among the brood was achieved by using solid baits (Siebeneicher et al, 1992). Entomologists also tried to figure out where the conidia was infecting through, there was little evidence that the infection occurred by the penetrations of the cuticle. Scanning electron microscopy however showed the presence of many conidia, which were germinating on the tarsi, which suggested that this was a possible entry site of the fungus (Siebeneicher et al, 1992).





carnivorous plants

[Janice]

Until recently, chemical control methods were the only means available for S. invicta control (Williams et al. 2001). However, as part of the USDA's fire ant areawide suppression program, the effectiveness of several biological control agents are currently being examined and/or released in the U.S. These agents include the microsporidian parasite, Kneallhazia solenopsae, and decapitating flies found in the genus Pseudacteon (Pereira 2003).

[Janice]

Kneallhazia solenopsae.



Could it be that we have been bitten by one of these imported flies that carries K. Selenopsae

[tcmgpt13]

From Wikipedia article on phorid flies to which flies being used to kill fire ants belong. This is why this information is truly scary as according to this article there have been a few reported cases where phorid flies have caused human disease. It makes you wonder what will happen to those humans who are unfortunate enough to stumble into a hidden fire ant nest (under debris) and receive multiple bites from fire ants. At the very least it will perhaps transmit some disease organisms:

Phorid flies also represent a new and hopeful means by which to control fire ant populations in the southern United States, where fire ants were accidentally introduced in the 1930s. The genus Pseudacteon, or ant-decapitating fly, of which 110 species have been documented, is a parasitoid of the ant in South America. Members of Pseudacteon reproduce by laying eggs in the thorax of the ant. The first instar larvae migrate to the head. The larvae develop by feeding on the hemolymph, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue in the head. Eventually, the larvae completely devour the ant's brain, causing it to do nothing but wander aimlessly for approximately two weeks.[7] After about two[8] to four[7] weeks, they cause the ant's head to fall off by releasing an enzyme that dissolves the membrane attaching the ant's head to its body. The fly pupates in the detached head capsule, requiring a further two weeks before emerging. Various species of Phoridae have been introduced throughout the U. S. Southeast, starting with Travis, Brazos, and Dallas counties in Texas, as well as Mobile, Alabama, where the ants first entered North America.[7][8]

Other (Reported human cases of myiasisi infection by phorid type flies, some of which parasitize fire ants):

There have been a few reports of phorid flies opportunistically causing human myiasis.[9][10] [edit]