Studies of flies, genus Pseudacteon, that live, reproduce, and thrive on host fire ants in North America can reveal much about details of phorid natural history. Understanding the biology of these temperate-zone phorids could provide important guidance for developing optimum methods for introducing phorids from South America which would attack the pest fire ant species.

We have recently began a pilot program to assist local extension agents and private interest groups to participate in acquiring their own phorid "infections." Fire ants are collected in the area to be treated with phorids according to our instructions. Ants are separated from soil at Brackenridge Field Laboratory. We show participants where to place out trays of ants in phorid fly "hot spots." The flies will arrive and attack the fire ant workers.

Over the last few years, we have studied about a dozen species of Pseudacteon phorid flies in Brazil and Argentina which attack fire ants in their homeland. With colleagues in those countries and in coordination with colleagues at USDA in Gainesville, FL, we have learned about the life history, behavior, and host specificity of most of these phorid species and have identified several as high priority for application in biological control.

Along the Nexican border of Texas and in West Texas, there exist native fire ants that are difficult to distinguish from their imported cousins. However, if you can see four tiny teeth on the mandible or jaw of a fire ants, it is S. invicta. Native species possess three teeth. Over East, Central and much of South Texas, the most common native fire ant, S. geminata, can be distinguished without examination of tiny details of anatomy.

Female phorid flies are attracted to fire ants swarming over a disturbed mound or foraging along a trail to food. They hover over ants looking for a preferred individual. (Each phorid species has a particular size range of fire ant workers which it prefers.) When the hapless victim is chosen, the phorid darts in, injects an egg into the ant's body, and explodes away at warp speed.

The phorid flies that attack fire ants are tiny. Compare the end of Lincoln's nose and top of his lip on a U.S. penny to the length of this Pseudacteon phorid which attacks S. invicta. Only fire ants and a few dedicated biologists are likely to see phorids in action. They are not attracted to people as are some small flies, like gnats and mosquitoes. The species of phorid flies that attack fire ants are specialists; some even attack only single species of fire ants.

Actually phorid flies are being released in selected experimental sites, the ant populations of which were assessed before release so that comparisons can be made post-release. Currently, there are too few phorids being bred in research laboratories to provide enough for mass releases in more than a few carefully-selected areas. But even if there were enough phorids to "go around," only two species, Pseudacteon tricuspis and P. curvatus, arecurrently available in substantial numbers.

Unfortunately the answer is never. Imported fire ants are now permanent residents in the U.S. Eradication is possible from pesticides only temporarily and only at a local scale, but not at a regional level. However, we can hope for eradication of the pest status of the ant, assuming that we can find and successfully introduce effective biological control agents. Even assuming the best results with phorids, it could take years to reverse seven decades of spread and growth of RIFA populations.

Phorid flies may not be better than pesticides in many local, short-term circumstances, so there will always be role for some careful use of pesticides. However, over an entire region and over decades, biological control agents like phorid flies are likely to be a more economic and safe way to reduce the pest status of imported fire ants.

Before 1986, work on the fire ant invasion was carried out by students as part of undergraduate honors projects and graduate thesis and dissertation research. Between 1986-1994, we were funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture, American Farm Bureau Research Foundation, and USDA Competitive Grants program.

Native species refers to those plant or animal species originally living, growing, or produced in an ecosystem within their historic range. Not all non-native species are invasive, most are beneficial or harmless. Nearly all crop and livestock species are non-native as are many of our favorite flowers and ornamental plants.

Restricted non-native species include all species listed as restricted species in Rule 68A-23.008 (2) F.A.C. Possession by certified aquaculturists requires written authorization from FDACS and an on site inspection to verify that the facility meets the minimum requirements of the Restricted non-native species BMPs.

I think for good reason, based on ethical intuition, that we are more impressed by the kind-hearted soul who nets the flies to let them out of the house alive versus the person hunting them down for certain chemical death with a bottle raid. Even if our great White Suburban hunter of houseflies uses a fly-swatter for ecological reasons, the more admirable course pertains to the person who uses a butterfly net to simply capture the fly for relocation outside.

If you are a headache sufferer, your obvious concern is to obtain safe, dependable relief. You should avoid making things worse by using drugs, even over-the-counter nonprescription drugs that can have serious side effects and dangerous interactions with other medications or supplements you take. You should also be aware that many people experience what are termed "analgesic rebound headaches" from taking painkillers every day, or nearly every day.

The travel industry is always changing. It is better to let us know where and when you need to go from and where and when you need to arrive and we will provide you with your choices which can be sorted by airline, price, or duration.