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05-27-2009, 02:33 PM
| #1 |
| Guard Dog 2012  Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida
Posts: 3,126
Lodge:
 |  Parasitic flies turn fire ants into zombies It sounds like something out of science fiction: zombie fire ants. But it’s all too real. Fire ants wander aimlessly away from the mound. Eventually their heads fall off, and they die. The strange part is that researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension Service say making "zombies" out of fire ants is a good thing. "It’s a tool — they’re not going to completely wipe out the fire ant, but it’s a way to control their population," said Scott Ludwig, an integrated pest management specialist with the AgriLife Extension Service in Overton, in East Texas. The tool is the tiny phorid fly, native to a region of South America where the fire ants in Texas originated. Researchers have learned that there are as many as 23 phorid species along with pathogens that attack fire ants to keep their population and movements under control. So far, four phorid species have been introduced in Texas. read more
__________________ Is trom an t-ualach an leisce. Ni heolas go haontios Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh The sky is not the limit there are footprints on the moon. |
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06-01-2009, 07:30 PM
| #2 |
| Watcher of the posts  Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: #232 Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,124
Lodge: LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232
| This is interesting, I am just curious of one thing though, normally, when one "predator" is introduced to control another species, then there eventually comes a time when there is a problem with that "predator". Kinda spooks me about the whole parasitic fly. Anyone else??
__________________ P.M. LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232 P.H.P. Lafayette Chapter #163 Sir Knight (Hospitallier Commandry) Prophet (Zafar Grotto) Freemasonry may be traced by history and tradition, ...it is only necessary to refer to the information presented to you in a general manner. Information considered "secret" to mason's will NOT be divulged. Seek and ye shall find, Ask and it will be given you, Type and it will be posted (and most likely, answered).  |
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06-03-2009, 08:23 AM
| #3 |
| Firedawg  Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The First State
Posts: 78
Lodge: Union #7
| If you've ever lived in the South, you would probably rather take that chance. I know I would. After living 8 years on the Miss. gulf coast and 4 years in Texas, I can say that fire ants are an awful menace. It's no fun getting attacked when mowing your yard.
__________________ Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before giving them your confidence. -General George Washington |
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06-03-2009, 09:49 AM
| #4 | |
| Guard Dog 2012 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida
Posts: 3,126
Lodge:
| Quote:
__________________ Is trom an t-ualach an leisce. Ni heolas go haontios Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh The sky is not the limit there are footprints on the moon. | |
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