Red imported fire ants in Virginia
Picture credit: Stephen Ausmus (https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/images/photos/dec04/k11622-1)/
Fire ants are an invasive pest over much of the Southern United States. For about 10 years, fire ants have been present in the Eastern most regions of the state, but recently fire ants have expanded their range into Virginia further West. We try to understand their expansion and factors that might affect it.
Publications
Malone et al. (2023), Fast range expansion of the red imported fire ant in Virginia and prediction of future spread in the United States, Ecosphere, http://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4652