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Antimicrobial properties of nest volatiles in red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta (hymenoptera: formicidae)

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Abstract

The antimicrobial property of volatiles produced by red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, against Beauveria bassiana, a common entomopathogenic fungus, was demonstrated. The germination rate of B. bassiana spores was significantly reduced after they were exposed to volatiles within an artificial ant nest. Since the air that contained the same level of O2 and CO2 as that in artificial fire ant nests did not suppress the germination rate of B. bassiana, the observed reduction of germination rate must be caused by the toxicity of nest volatiles. Nest fumigation may be an important component of the social immune system in S. invicta.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Gregg Henderson, Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA and Dr. Maribel Portilla, USDA-ARS, Southern Insect Management Research Unit, Stoneville, MS for critical reviews of the manuscript. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Red Imported Fire Ant Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, People’s Republic of China

    Lei Wang & Ling Zeng

  2. National Biological Control Laboratory, Southeast Area, Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 59 Lee Road, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA

    Brad Elliott, Xixuan Jin & Jian Chen

Authors
  1. Lei Wang
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  2. Brad Elliott
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  3. Xixuan Jin
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  4. Ling Zeng
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  5. Jian Chen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jian Chen.

Additional information

Communicated by: Alain Dejean

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Wang, L., Elliott, B., Jin, X. et al. Antimicrobial properties of nest volatiles in red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta (hymenoptera: formicidae). Sci Nat 102, 66 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-015-1316-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-015-1316-1

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