PUBLICATIONS
Introductions of phorid flies in Texas
Studies of phorid flies as potential biocontrol agents
Microbes in fire ants, pathogens and symbionts
South American phorids and Fire Ants: Community ecology
Phorid ecology in Texas
Ecology of Fire Ants in Texas
Reproduction and social forms of Fire Ants
Phorid developmental biology
Host specificity tests
Phorid taxonomy
Introductions of Phorid flies in Texas
Plowes R.M., LeBrun E.G., Gilbert L.E. (2010) Introduction of the fire ant decapitating fly Pseudacteon
obtusus in the United States: factors influencing
establishment in Texas. BioControl
DOI 10.1007/s10526-010-9335-5
Callcott, A. M. A., Porter, S. D., Weeks, R. D., Graham, L. C., Johnson, J. W., Gilbert, L. E., 2010. Fire ant decapitating fly cooperative release programs (1994-2008): Two Pseudacteon species (P. tricuspis, P. curvatus) rapidly expand across imported fire ant populations in the southeastern United States. Journal of Insect Science in press.
LeBrun E.G., Plowes R.M., Gilbert L.E. (2009) Indirect competition facilitates widespread displacement of one naturalized parasitoid of imported fire ants by another. Ecology 90:1184-1194.
Gilbert, L. E., C. L. Barr, A. A. Calixto, J. L. Cook, B. M. Drees, E. G. LeBrun, R. J. W. Patrock, R. M. Plowes, S. D. Porter, and R. T. Puckett. 2007 in press. Introducing phorid fly parasitoids of Red Imported Fire Ant workers from South America to Texas: Outcomes vary by region and by Pseudacteon species released. Southwestern Entomologist, 33:15-29.
LeBrun, E. G., R. M. Plowes, and L. E. Gilbert. 2007. Dynamic expansion in recently introduced populations of fire ant parasitoids (Diptera: Phoridae). Biological Invasions 10:989-999.
Plowes, R. M., and L. E. Gilbert. 2007. Advances and challenges in biocontrol efforts against fire ants in Texas. Biocontrol News and Information 28:67-68.
Gilbert, L. E., and R. J. W. Patrock. 2002. Phorid flies for the biological suppression of imported fire ant in Texas: Region specific challenges, recent advances and future prospects. Southwestern Entomologist Supplement 25:7-17.
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Studies of phorid flies as potential biocontrol agents
Mehdiabadi, N. J., E. A. Kawazoe, and L. E. Gilbert. 2004. Parasitoids and competitors influence colony-level responses in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Naturwissenschaften 91:539-543.
Mehdiabadi, N. J., E. A. Kawazoe, and L. E. Gilbert. 2004. Phorid fly parasitoids of invasive fire ants indirectly improve the competitive ability of a native ant. Ecological Entomology 29:621-627.
Mehdiabadi, N. J., and L. E. Gilbert. 2002. Colony-level impacts of parasitoid flies on fire ants. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences 269:1695-1699.
Morrison, L. W. 2000. Biology of Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae) ant parasitoids and their potential to control imported Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Recent Res. Dev. Entomol. 3:1-13.
Morrison, L. W. 2000. Mechanisms of Pseudacteon parasitoid (Diptera: Phoridae) effects on exploitative and interference competition in host Solenopsis ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 93:841-849.
Morrison, L. W., E. A. Kawazoe, R. Guerra, and L. E. Gilbert. 2000. Ecological interactions of Pseudacteon parasitoids and Solenopsis ant hosts: environmental correlates of activity and effects on competitive hierarchies. Ecological Entomology 25:433-444.
Morrison, L. W. 1999. Indirect effects of phorid fly parasitoids on the mechanisms of interspecific competition among ants. Oecologia 121:113-122.
Folgarait, P. J., and L. E. Gilbert. 1999. Phorid parasitoids affect foraging activity of Solenopsis richteri under different availability of food in Argentina. Ecological Entomology 24:163-173.
Orr, M. R., S. H. Seike, W. W. Benson, and L. E. Gilbert. 1995. Flies suppress fire ants. Nature 373:292-293.
Feener, D. H., Jr., and B. V. Brown. 1992. Reduced foraging of Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the presence of parasitic Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 85:80 - 84.
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Microbes in fire ants, pathogens and symbionts
Ascunce, M., Valles, S., Oi, D., Shoemaker, D., Plowes, R. M., Gilbert, L. E., LeBrun, E. G., Sánchez-Arroyo, H., Sanchez-Peña, S., 2010. Molecular diversity of the microsporidium Kneallhazia solenopsae reveals an expanded host range among fire ants in North America. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, in press
Ishak, H. D., Plowes, R. M., Kellner, K., Sen, R., Meyer, E., Estrada, D. A., Dowd, S., Mueller, U. G., 2010. Bacterial communities in Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis geminata ant colonies characterized by 16S-amplicon 454 pyrosequencing. Microbial Ecology, in press.
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South American Phorids and Fire Ants: Community ecology
Patrock R.J.W., Porter S.D., Gilbert L.E., Folgarait P.J. (2009) Distributional patterns of Pseudacteon associated with the Solenopsis saevissima complex in South America. Journal of Insect Science 9:available online.
Feener, D. H., M. R. Orr, K. Wackford, J. Longo, W. W. Benson, and L. E. Gilbert. 2008. Geographic variation in resource dominance-discovery in Brazilian ant communities. Ecology 89(7), 1824–1836
Folgarait P.J., Patrock R.J.W., Albioni Montenegro G.E., Saldua L., Gilbert L.E. (2008) Solenopsis invicta: evidence for recent internal immigration across provinces in Argentina. Florida Entomologist 91:131-132.
Folgarait, P. J., R. J. W. Patrock, and L. E. Gilbert. 2007. Associations of fire ant phorids and microhabitats. Environmental Entomology 36:731-742.
Folgarait, P. J., R. J. W. Patrock, and L. E. Gilbert. 2007b. The influence of ambient conditions and space on the phenological patterns of a Solenopsis phorid guild in an arid environment. Biological Control 42:262-273.
Folgarait, P. J., O. Bruzzone, S. D. Porter, M. A. Pesquero, and L. E. Gilbert. 2005. Biogeography and macroecology of phorid flies that attack fire ants in south-eastern Brazil and Argentina. Journal of Biogeography 32:353-367.
Folgarait, P. J., P. D'Adamo, and L. E. Gilbert. 2004. A grassland ant community in Argentina: the case of Solenopsis richteri and Camponotus punctulatus attaining high densities in their native ranges. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 97:450-457.
Folgarait, P. J., O. A. Bruzzone, and L. E. Gilbert. 2003. Seasonal patterns of activity among species of black fire ant parasitoid flies (Pseudacteon: Phoridae) in Argentina explained by analysis of climatic variables. Biological Control 28:368-378.
Orr, M. R., S. H. Seike, and L. E. Gilbert. 1997. Foraging ecology and patterns of diversification in dipteran parasitoids of fire ants in South Brazil. Ecological Entomology 22:305-314.
Orr, M. R., S. H. Seike, W. W. Benson, and L. E. Gilbert. 1996. Host location and attack behavior of parasitoid communities attacking fire ants in Brazil. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 77:335.
Wuellner, C. T. 2000. Male aggregation by Solenopsis richteri Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and associated mating behavior in Argentina. J. Insect Behav. 13:751-756.
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Phorid ecology in Texas
Morrison, L. W., E. A. Kawazoe, R. Guerra, and L. E. Gilbert. 2000. Ecological interactions of Pseudacteon parasitoids and Solenopsis ant hosts: environmental correlates of activity and effects on competitive hierarchies. Ecological Entomology 25:433-444.
Morrison, L. W., E. A. Kawazoe, R. Guerra, and L. E. Gilbert. 1999. Phenology and dispersal in Pseudacteon flies (Diptera: Phoridae), parasitoids of Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 92:198-207.
Morrison, L. W., and L. E. Gilbert. 1998. Parasitoid-host relationships when host size varies: the case of Pseudacteon flies and Solenopsis fire ants. Ecological Entomology 23:409-416.
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Ecology of Fire Ants in Texas
Lv, J., Yang, Y., Wilson, L. T., Plowes, R.M., Gilbert, L.E. 2010. Simulating the impact of fire ant parasitoids
and pathogens. Texas Rice, AgriLife Research, Vol X(5) 3-6.
Plowes, R. M., J. G. Dunn, and L. E. Gilbert. 2007. The urban fire ant paradox: native fire ants persist in an urban refuge while invasive fire ants dominate natural habitats. Biological Invasions 9:825-836.
Wuellner, C. T., and J. B. Saunders. 2003. Circadian and circannual patterns of activity and territory shifts: comparing a native ant (Solenopsis geminata, Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with its exotic, invasive congener (S. invicta) and its parasitoids (Pseudacteon spp., Diptera: Phoridae) at a central Texas site. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 96:54-60
Sanchez-Pena, R., R.J.W. Patrock, and L.E. Gilbert. 2005. The red imported fire ant is now in Mexico: documentation of its wide distribution along the Texas-Mexico border. Entomological News 116:363-366.
Morrison, L. W. 2002. Long-term impacts of an arthropod-community invasion by the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Ecology 83:2337-2345.
Kaspari, M. 2000. Do imported fire ants impact canopy arthropods? Evidence from simple arboreal pitfall traps. Southwestern Naturalist 45:118-122.
Morrison, L. W. 2000. Mechanisms of interspecific competition between an invasive and two native fire ant species. Oikos 90:238-252.
Porter, S. D., and D. A. Savignano. 1990. Invasion of polygyne fire ants decimates native ants and disrupts arthropod community. Ecology 71:2095-2106.
Vargo, E., and S. D. Porter. 1989. Colony reproduction by budding in the polygyne form of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 82:307-313.
Porter, S. D., B. Van Eimeren, and L. E. Gilbert. 1988. Invasion of red imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): microgeography of competitive replacement. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 81:913-918.
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Reproduction and social forms of Fire Ants
Passera, L., S. Aron, E. L. Vargo, and L. Keller. 2001. Queen control of sex ratio in fire ants. Science 293:1308-1310.
Vargo, E. L., and C. D. Hulsey. 2000. Multiple glandular origins of queen pheromones in the fire ant Solenopsis invicta. J. Insect Physiol. 46:1151-1159.
Vargo, E. L. 1999. Reproductive development and ontogeny of queen pheromone production in the fire ant Solenopsis invicta. Physiol. Entomol. 24:370-376.
Vargo, E. L. 1998. Primer pheromones in ants. Pages 293-313 in R. K. Vander Meer, M. D. Breed, K. E. Espelie, and M. L. Winston, editors. Pheromone communication in social insects ants, wasps, bees, and termites. Westview Press, Boulder, Colo.
Vargo, E. L. 1997. Poison gland of queen fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) is the source of a primer pheromone. Naturwissenschaften 84:507-510.
Porter, S. D., A. Bhatkar, R. Mulder, S. B. Vinson, and D. Clair. 1991. Distribution and density of polygyne fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Texas. Journal of Economic Entomology 84.
Vargo, E., and D. Fletcher. 1989. On the relationship between queen number and fecundity in polygyne colonies of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Physiological Entomology 14:223-232.
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Phorid developmental biology
Chirino M.G., Gilbert L.E., Folgarait P.J. (2009) Behavior and Development of Pseudacteon curvatus (Diptera:Phoridae) Varies According to the Social Form of Its Host Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Its Native Range. Environ. Entomol. 38:198-206.
Folgarait, P. J., R. J. W. Patrock, and L. E. Gilbert. 2006. Development of Pseudacteon nocens (Diptera : Phoridae) on Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri fire ants (Hymenoptera : Formicidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 99:295-307.
Folgarait, P. J., M. G. Chirino, and L. E. Gilbert. 2005. Morphological traits associated with pupae viability in Pseudacteon (Diptera : Phoridae) parasitoids. Revista de la Sociedad Entomologica Argentina 64:13-22.
Folgarait, P. J., M. G. Chirino, R. J. W. Patrock, and L. E. Gilbert. 2005. Development of Pseudacteon obtusus (Diptera: Phoridae) on Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri fire ants (Hymenoptera : Formicidae). Environmental Entomology 34:308-316.
Folgarait, P. J., O. A. Bruzzone, and L. E. Gilbert. 2002. Development of Pseudacteon cultellatus (Diptera: Phoridae) on Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Environ. Entomol. 31:403-410.
Folgarait, P. J., O. A. Bruzzone, R. J. Patrock, and L. Gilbert, E. 2002. Developmental rates and host specificity for Pseudacteon parasitoids (Diptera: Phoridae) of fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Argentina. J. Econ. Entomol.; 95:1151-1158.
Wuellner, C. T., S. D. Porter, and L. E. Gilbert. 2002. Eclosion, mating, and grooming behavior of the parasitoid fly Pseudacteon curvatus (Diptera: Phoridae). Florida Entomologist 85:563-566.
Consoli, F. L., C. T. Wuellner, S. B. Vinson, and L. E. Gilbert. 2001. Immature development of Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera: Phoridae), an endoparasitoid of the red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 94:97-109.
Morrison, L. W., S. D. Porter, and L. E. Gilbert. 1999b. Sex ratio variation as as function of host size in Pseudacteon flies (Diptera: Phoridae), parasitoids of Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 66:257-267.
Morrison, L. W., C. G. Dall'Agilo-Holvorcem, and L. E. Gilbert. 1997. Oviposition behavior and development of Pseudacteon flies (Diptera: Phoridae), parasitoids of Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Environ. Entomol. 26:716-724.
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Host specificity tests
Porter, S. D., and L. E. Gilbert. 2005. Parasitoid case history: an evaluation of methods used to assess host ranges of fire ant decapitating flies. Pages 634-650. in M. S. Hoddle, editor. Second international symposium on biological control of arthropods. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Davos, Switzerland.
Porter, S. D., and L. E. Gilbert. 2004. Assessing host specificity and field release potential of fire ant decapitating flies (Phoridae: Pseudacteon). Pages 152-176 in R. G. van Driesche and R. Reardon, editors. Assessing host ranges for parasitoids and predators used for classical biological control: a guide to best practice. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team
Wuellner, C. T., C. G. Dall'Aglio-Holvorcem, W. W. Benson, and L. E. Gilbert. 2002. Phorid fly (Diptera: Phoridae) oviposition behavior and fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) reaction to attack differ according to phorid species. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 95:257-266.
Morrison, L. W., and L. E. Gilbert. 1999. Host specificity in two additional Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera : Phoridae), parasitoids of Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera : Formicidae). Florida Entomologist 82:404-409.
Gilbert, L. E., and L. W. Morrison. 1997. Patterns of host specificity in Pseudacteon parasitoid flies (Diptera, Phoridae) that attack Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Environmental Entomology 26:1150-1154.
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Phorid taxonomy
Plowes R.M., LeBrun E.G., Brown B.V., Gilbert L.E. (2009) A Review of Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae) That Parasitize Ants of the Solenopsis geminata Complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 102:937-958.
Chirino M.G., Folgarait P.J., Gilbert L.E., Lanzavecchia S., Papeschi A.G. (2009) Cytogenetic analysis of three species of Pseudacteon (Diptera, Phoridae) parasitoids of the fire ants using standard and molecular techniques. Genetics and Molecular Biology 32:740-747.
Kronforst, M. R., P. J. Folgarait, R. J. W. Patrock, and L. E. Gilbert. 2007. Genetic differentiation between body size biotypes of the parasitoid fly Pseudacteon obtusus (Diptera: Phoridae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 43:1178-1184.
Estrada, C., R. J. W. Patrock, P. J. Folgarait, and L. E. Gilbert. 2006. Host specificity of four Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae), parasitoids of fire ants in Argentina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Florida Entomologist 89:462-468.
Patrock, R. J. W., G. E. Albioni Montenegro, L. E. Gilbert, and P. J. Folgarait. 2006. Possible identification of cryptic species of S. invicta using parasitoid flies: parasitoid host discrimination is population dependent. Pages 164-349 in XVCongress of the IUSSIs, Washington, DC.
Brown, B. V., P. Folgarait, and L. Gilbert. 2003. A new species of Pseudacteon attacking Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Argentina. Sociobiology 41:685-688.
Brown, B. V., and L. W. Morrison. 1999. New Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae) from North America that parasitizes the native fire ant Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 92:308-310.
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