Research

TN Fire Ant Research And Education Team (F.A.R.E.T.)

The Tennessee Fire Ant Research and Education Team (FARET) was formed in spring of 2003 as a collaboration between the University of Tennessee Institue of Agriculture and Tennessee State University Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research. The original core team members included Dr. Karen Vail, UT Extension Urban Entomologist and Professor; Dr. Pat Parkman, UTIA LYBIL Director; and Dr. Jason Oliver, TSU Research Associate Professor. Gray Haun, Administrator, Tennessee Department of Agriculture; Mark Halcomb,post-retirement appointment, UT Extension; and Beth Long, UT Extension Specialist, assisted the core team.

The primary mission of FARET was to develop imported fire ant (IFA) management strategies for the state’s nursery industry and to provide educational programs for nursery producers in counties affected by IFA infestations and in areas where emerging infestations are likely. Most research activity occurred at TSU’s Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville (Warren County) and at private nurseries.

Specific research objectives included evaluating various treatment combinations and application methods using existing IFA insecticides registered for use on woody ornamentals and in ornamental nurseries; determining the efficacy of experimental insecticidal compounds and reduced-risk biopesticides; assessing current status of biological control agents released in Tennessee; and determining the distribution of the red imported fire ant, black imported fire ant and the hybrid imported fire ant in Tennessee.

In addition to control recommendations, educational program components included information to help distinguish IFAs from similar-looking native ants and other mound-producing ants; establishing guidelines for initiating community-wide IFA abatement programs; and maintenance and update of the UT fire ant web site. The FARET team will work with UT Extension agents from counties within the IFA quarantine area, and from areas likely to be affected by IFA, to provide IFA educational programs within their respective counties.

Please contact Karen Vail or Jason Oliver for further information.

Tennessee Research Publications

• Pandey, M., K.M. Addesso, L.W. Alexander, N.N. Youssef, and J.B. Oliver. 2020. Relationship of imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) integument coloration to cuticular hydrocarbon and venom alkaloid profiles. Environmental Entomology 50: 317-323. 
• Valles, S.M., J.B. Oliver, K.M. Addesso, and O.P. Perera. 2020. Unique Solenopsis venom protein 2 alleles in Solenopsis invicta × Solenopsis richteri hybrid fire ants. Toxicon. 
• Pandey, M., K.M. Addesso, R.S. Archer, S.M. Valles, F. Baysal-Gurel, P.F. Ganter, N.N. Youssef, and J.B. Oliver. 2019. Worker size, geographic distribution, and introgressive hybridization of invasive Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Tennessee. Environ. Entomol. 48(3): 727-732.
• Valles, S.M., J.B. Oliver, and K.M. Addesso. 2017. Complete genome sequence of a new isolate of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 from Solenopsis invicta x richteri hybrid ants. Genome Announcements.  5 (48): 1-2.
• Addesso, K.M., J.B. Oliver, P.A O’Neal, and N. Youssef. 2017. Efficacy of nootka oil as a biopesticide for management of imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J. Economic Entomology 110: 1547 – 1555.
• Oliver, J.B., R.K. Vander Meer, S.A. Ochieng, N.N. Youssef, E. Pantaleoni, F.A. Mrema, K.M. Vail, P.J. Parkman, S.M. Valles, W.G. Haun, and S. Powell. 2009. Survey of imported fire ant populations in Tennessee. J. Entomol. Science. 44(2): 1-9.
• Valles, S. M., C. A. Strong, D. H. Oi, S. D. Porter, R. M. Pereira, R. Vander Meer, Y. Hashimoto, L. M. Hooper-Bui, H. Sanchez-Arroyo, T. Davis, V. Karpakakunjaram, K. M. Vail, L. C. Graham, J. A. Briano, L. A. Calcaterra, L. E. Gilbert, R. Ward, K. Ward, J. B. Oliver, G. Taniguchi, and D. C. Thompson. 2007. Phenology, distribution, and host specificity of Solenopsis invicta virus-1. J. of Invert. Pathol. 96: 18-27
• Vogt, J.T. and J.B. Oliver. 2006. Distribution and size of imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) mounds in recently invaded ball-and-burlap nurseries in Tennessee. J. Entomol. Sci. 41: 385-393.

Tennessee Research Reports

• Vail, K., J. Chandler, J. Shoop, A-M Callcott, K. Hoyt, R. Evans and J. Lee. 2012. Development of IFA Quarantine Cold Temperature Techniques for Certifying Bulk Soil for Movement: Large Scale Trials. In 2012 USDA APHIS PPQ CPHST Laboratory Report Gulfport/Biloxi Station. 31-35.
• Xikui, W., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, M. Reding, and J. Moyseenko. 2008. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock use in the IFA Quarantine, Tennessee, Spring and Fall 2008, pp. 34-40. In A. Callcott [ed.], 2008 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture. April 2009. Gulfport, MS.
• Callcott, A. 2007. Summary of numerous dip/immersion trials for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock 2002 – 2007, pp. 5-9. In A. Callcott [ed.], 2007 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture. May 2008. Gulfport, MS. Jason Oliver listed as primary project leader in the body of the report.
• James, S., L. McAnally, A. Callcott, J. Lamont, J. Oliver, S. Dennis, and N. Youssef. 2007. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock use in the IFA Quarantine, Spring 2005, pp. 19-25. In A. Callcott [ed.], 2006 Accomplishment Report Soil Inhabiting Pests Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture. February 2007. Gulfport, MS.
• James, S., L. McAnally, A. Callcott, J. Oliver, S. Dennis, N. Youssef, M. Reding, and J. Moyseenko. 2005. A1M04 Final Report: Alternative IFA Quarantine drench treatments for balled-and burlapped nursery stock, Fall 2003 and Spring 2004, pp. 18-28. In Anne-Marie Callcott [ed.], 2005 Accomplishment Report Soil Inhabiting Pests Section, USDA-APHIS, Gulfport, MS.
• James, S., A. Callcott, L. McAnally, R. Weeks, J. Oliver, P. Parkman, T. Rashid, K. Vail, and N. Youssef. 2004. A1M04 Development of alternative quarantine treatment for field grown nursery stock – in-field individual tree treatment, 2004 (Winter/Spring), pp. 12-20. In Anne-Marie Callcott [ed.], 2004 Accomplishment Report Soil Inhabiting Pests Section, USDA-APHIS. November 2005. Gulfport, MS.
• James, S., A.-M. Callcott, L. McAnally, T. Lockley, S. Wade, R. Weeks, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, and K. Vail. 2003. A1P04 Final Report: Development of alternative quarantine treatment for field grown nursery stock – individual in-field tree treatment, 2003 (winter/spring), pp. 24-34. In Anne-Marie Callcott [ed.], 2003 Accomplishment Report USDA-APHIS Soil Inhabiting Pests Laboratory, Gulfport, MS.
• Vail, K.M., D. Bailey, and J. Oliver. 2002. Granular fipronil significantly reduces a black imported fire ant population in Tennessee. Univ. Tenn. Entomol. & Plant Path. Info. 60: 5-6.
• Callcott, A., T. Lockley, L. McAnally, and S. Wade. Cooperator: J. Oliver. 2001. GPPS01-02 Final Report: Spot applications of granular insecticides for IFA quarantine treatments of nursery stock in Tennessee, pp. 38-43. In Anne-Marie Callcott [ed.], 2001 Accomplishment Report USDA-APHIS Soil Inhabiting Pests Laboratory, Gulfport, MS.

Trade Journal

Oliver, J., K. Addesso, N. Youssef, K. Vail, P. Parkman, J. Basham, and S. Powell. 2019. Off with their heads – phorid decapitating flies to the rescue. Winter Green Times Issue. 

Online APHIS Reports

Callcott, A., X. Wei, S. James, L. McAnally, C. Hinton, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, M. Reding, J. Moyseenko, and D. Oi. 2017. Summary of balled-and-burlapped (B&B) drench treatments for potential use in the Federal IFA Quarantine program through 2015, pp. 1-9. In A. Callcott (ed.), 2015-2017 CPHST Imported Fire Ant Report Biloxi Station, USDA-APHIS-PPQ CPHST Biloxi Station, Biloxi, MS.  

Oi, D.H., A. Callcott, and J. Oliver. 2015. Evaluation of bifenthrin band treatments with targeted mound injections and broadcast baiting as a fire ant quarantine treatment in a pot-in-pot nursery, pp. 9-11. In A. Callcott and R. King (eds.), 2013-2014 CPHST Laboratory Report: Gulfport/Biloxi Station, Biloxi, MS. 

Oliver, J., N. Youssef, C. Ranger, J. Moyseenko, D. Oi, and A. Callcott. 2015. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped (B&B) nursery stock use in the IFA Quarantine, Spring and Fall 2013 in Tennessee, pp. 11-14. In A. Callcott and R. King (eds.), 2013-2014 CPHST Laboratory Report: Gulfport/Biloxi Station, Biloxi, MS. 

Oliver, J., N. Youssef, C. Ranger, J. Moyseenko, D. Oi, and A. Callcott. 2015. Alternative immersion treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock for use in the IFA Quarantine, Tennessee Fall 2013, pp. 18-20. In A. Callcott and R. King (eds.), 2013-2014 CPHST Laboratory Report: Gulfport/Biloxi Station, Biloxi, MS. 

Callcott, A., J. Oliver, N. Youssef, and D. Oi. 2015. Alternative immersion and drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock for use in the IFA Quarantine, Tennessee Fall 2014, pp. 20-23. In A. Callcott and R. King (eds.), 2013-2014 CPHST Laboratory Report: Gulfport/Biloxi Station, Biloxi, MS. 

Oliver, J., N. Youssef, C. Ranger, M. Reding, J. Moyseenko, D. Oi, and A. Callcott. 2015. Individual tree drench treatment using 5-gallon bucket or tree rings as a potential quarantine treatment for field grown nursery stock – Tennessee Fall 2013, pp. 23-26. In A. Callcott and R. King (eds.), 2013-2014 CPHST Laboratory Report: Gulfport/Biloxi Station, Biloxi, MS. 

Oliver, J., N. Youssef, C. Ranger, M. Reding, J. Moyseenko, D. Oi, and A. Callcott. 2015. Individual tree drench treatment using 5-gallon bucket or tree rings as a potential quarantine treatment for field grown nursery stock – Tennessee Fall 2014, pp. 26-29. In A. Callcott and R. King (eds.), 2013-2014 CPHST Laboratory Report: Gulfport/Biloxi Station, Biloxi, MS. 

Callcott, A., X. Wei, S. James, L. McAnally, C. Hinton, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, M. Reding, and J. Moyseenko. 2014. Summary of balled-and-burlapped (B&B) immersion/dip treatments for potential use in the Federal IFA Quarantine Program: 2002-2010, pp. 15-23. In A. Callcott and R. King, ed., USDA-APHIS 2012 CPHST Laboratory Report: Gulfport / Biloxi Station. 

Callcott, A., J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, J. Moyseenko, and D. Oi. 2014. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped (B&B) nursery stock use in the IFA Quarantine, spring and fall 2012 in Tennessee, pp. 23-26. In A. Callcott and R. King, ed., USDA-APHIS 2012 CPHST Laboratory Report: Gulfport / Biloxi Station. 

Oliver, J., N. Youssef, A. Callcott, D. Oi, C. Ranger, M. Reding, and J. Moyseenko. 2014. Individual tree drench treatments using 5-gallon bucket or tree rings as a potential quarantine treatment for field grown nursery stock – Tennessee fall 2012, pp. 26-28. In A. Callcott and R. King, ed., USDA-APHIS 2012 CPHST Laboratory Report: Gulfport / Biloxi Station. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, and J. Moyseenko. 2013. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock used in the IFA Quarantine, Spring 2010 in Tennessee, pp. 7-10. In A. Callcott (ed.), 2011 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gulfport Lab, Gulport, MS. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, and J. Moyseenko. 2013. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock used in the IFA Quarantine, Spring and Fall 2011 in Tennessee, pp. 11-15. In A. Callcott (ed.), 2011 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gulfport Lab, Gulport, MS. 

Oliver, J., N. Youssef, X. Wei, A. Callcott, D. Oi, C. Ranger, M. Reding, and J. Moyseenko. 2013. Development of alternative quarantine treatment for field grown nursery stock – individual tree drench using 5-gallon bucket in Tennessee Fall 2010 and Fall 2011, pp. 20-24. In A. Callcott (ed.), 2011 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gulfport Lab, Gulport, MS. 

Wei, X. (J. Oliver listed in report for research performed at TSU-NRC). 2010. Summary of flip drench trials for post-harvest balled-and-burlapped nursery stock 2004-2009, pp. 3-11. In A. Callcott (ed.), 2010 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture Gulfport Lab, Gulport, MS. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, and J. Moyseenko. 2010. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock use in the IFA Quarantine, Spring and Fall 2009 in Tennessee, pp. 12-17. In A. Callcott (ed.), 2010 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture Gulfport Lab, Gulport, MS. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, and J. Moyseenko. 2010. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock use in the IFA Quarantine, Fall 2010 in Tennessee, pp. 24-27. In A. Callcott (ed.), 2010 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture Gulfport Lab, Gulport, MS. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, and J. Moyseenko. 2010. Alternative immersion treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock for use in the IFA Quarantine, Tennessee Spring and Fall 2009, pp. 32-38. In A. Callcott (ed.), 2010 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture Gulfport Lab, Gulport, MS. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, and J. Moyseenko. 2010. Alternative immersion treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock for use in the IFA Quarantine, Tennessee Spring 2010, pp. 39-42. In A. Callcott (ed.), 2010 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture Gulfport Lab, Gulport, MS. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, M. Reding, and J. Moyseenko. 2009. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock use in the IFA Quarantine, Spring and Fall 2008 in Tennessee, pp. 8-15. In A. Callcott [ed.], 2009 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture. April 2009. Gulfport, MS.   

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, and J. Moyseenko. 2009. Alternative drench treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock use in the IFA Quarantine, Spring and Fall 2009 in Tennessee, pp. 16-21. In A. Callcott [ed.], 2009 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture. April 2009. Gulfport, MS. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, M. Reding, and J. Moyseenko. 2009. Alternative immersion treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock for use in the IFA Quarantine, Tennessee 2008, pp. 28-36. In A. Callcott [ed.], 2009 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture. April 2009. Gulfport, MS. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, C. Hinton, L. McAnally, J. Oliver, N. Youssef, C. Ranger, and J. Moyseenko. 2009. Alternative immersion treatments for balled-and-burlapped nursery stock for use in the IFA Quarantine, Tennessee Spring & Fall 2009, pp. 37-43. In A. Callcott [ed.], 2009 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture. April 2009. Gulfport, MS. 

Wei, X., A. Callcott, L. McAnally, C. Hinton, J. Oliver, and N. Youssef. 2009. Development of alternative quarantine treatment for field grown nursery stock – individual tree drench treatment using tree ring or 5-gallon bucket in Mississippi and Tennessee 2009, pp. 62-73. In A. Callcott [ed.], 2009 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture. April 2009. Gulfport, MS. 

Callcott, A.A., S.S. James, S.O. Wade, J.L. Lamont, L.R. McAnally, T. Lockley, H. Collins, A. Ladner, R. Jones, X. Wei, C. Hinton, R. Weeks, J. Oliver, and N. Youssef. 2009. Summary of in-field band and block treatment trials for nursery stock, pp. 79-99. In A. Callcott [ed.], 2009 Accomplishment Report Imported Fire Ant Section, U.S. Department of Agriculture. April 2009. Gulfport, MS.