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Related invasive species

  • Wasmannia auropunctata
Has Cabi datasheet ID
56704
Detection

Ants can be detected by conducting surveillance programmes in high risk sites with favourable ant habitats. Surveillance should not occur during or after rain when the ground surface is still wet. Inspection is unsuitable in excessively windy days when ant activity is minimal.
The following is adopted from Vanderwoude et al. (2009):
Three survey methods can be used to detect W. auropunctata: vial baiting, chop stick baiting and visual surveys.
Vial Baiting
Vial baiting with an attractant is systematic and most suitable for surveys of industrial sites and nurseries. Little fire ant vial baits contain peanut butter which can be made by smearing a line of peanut butter (half the size of a pea) on the inner side of each bait vial (60 cc plastic containers with lids). Baits should be freshly made as ants are are not as interested in old and dried-up baits. The survey is carried out by placing bait vials in a grid pattern, with a minimum of one bait container per 10 x 10 m grid. Bait containers should be placed in suitable ant habitats and should be collected within 60-90 minutes after placement in the field.
Chop Stick Bating
Chop stick baiting is useful when targeting habitat trees as well as individual potted plants. One end of the chopstick needs to be painted (both sides) so that these can be easily relocated in the field. Morning or overcast days are the best times to bait. If surveying at midday on hot, low humidity days, baits should be placed in shady spots.
Dip the unpainted end of a chopstick in peanut butter to get a light coating extending about halfway up the stick. Place the chopsticks with peanut butter on the ground every 5-10 m. Only place in suitable habitats such as bases of trees/shrubs and in shady spots. Leave chopsticks with peanut butter for at least 45 minutes, not more than 2 hours before collecting. While collecting check for presence/absence of W. auropunctata.
Visual Survey
Visual surveys are appropriate when targeting discrete locations within a large site or for covering large areas quickly. It is very efficient in high density areas. Causton et al. (2005) used hot-dogs (ca 5 mm thick, made of beef) on the lower ends of 30 cm wire flags that were placed on the ground at 5 m intervals along a transect to detect W. auropunctata. These baits were checked after 45 minutes.

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