Zombie Ants!!!!

Sheldonrs · 05-14-2009, 08:50 AM

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/art...Ants13-ON.html

Flies turn fire ants into headless zombies
May. 13, 2009 06:42 AM
Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas - Researchers in Texas are trying an unusual approach to combat fire ants - deploying parasitic flies that turn the pesky and economically costly insects into zombies whose heads fall off.

The biting, territorial fire ants cost the Texas economy about $1 billion annually by damaging electrical equipment, according to a Texas A&M study. They can also threaten young calves.

But now the researchers are trying a tiny phorid fly, native to a region of South America where the fire ants originated. Researchers have learned that fire ants in their home region are kept under control by as many as 23 phorid species.
The flies lay eggs on the fire ants, and the eggs hatch into maggots inside the ant and eat away at the pest's tiny brain.

The ant will get up and wander for about two weeks while the maggot feeds, said Rob Plowes, a research associate at the University of Texas at Austin.

"There is no brain left in the ant, and the ant just starts wandering aimlessly," he said.

About a month after the egg is laid, the ant's head falls off - and a new fly emerges ready to attack another fire ant.

"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 Texas A&M's AgriLife Extension Service in Overton, in East Texas.

Four phorid species have been introduced in the state since 1999. They don't attack native ants or other species and have been introduced in other Gulf Coast states, Plowes told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

But it will take time to determine if the flies are effective in Texas, perhaps as long as a decade.

"It's not an immediate silver-bullet impact," Plowes said.

Sundae · 05-14-2009, 08:59 AM

I'll keep my cricket bat handy.

xoxoxoBruce · 05-14-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

"There is no brain left in the ant, and the ant just starts wandering aimlessly," he said.

Hopefully they don't have automatic log in and keep posting, after they can't remember their password.

Beestie · 05-14-2009, 10:51 AM

That's great. Until all the fire ants are dead and the little buggers adapt to a new food supply... HUMANS!

But I, for one, welcome our new zombie-spawning overlords.

nowhereman · 05-14-2009, 11:54 AM

I, for one, welcome our ant overlords ...

TheMercenary · 05-19-2009, 10:10 AM

Ok, now that is just one creepy article. But interesting never the less.

piercehawkeye45 · 05-19-2009, 10:34 AM

And the negative effects resulting from the phorid flies are?

05-14-2009, 08:50 AM	#1
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	Zombie Ants!!!! http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/art...Ants13-ON.html Flies turn fire ants into headless zombies May. 13, 2009 06:42 AM Associated Press FORT WORTH, Texas - Researchers in Texas are trying an unusual approach to combat fire ants - deploying parasitic flies that turn the pesky and economically costly insects into zombies whose heads fall off. The biting, territorial fire ants cost the Texas economy about $1 billion annually by damaging electrical equipment, according to a Texas A&M study. They can also threaten young calves. But now the researchers are trying a tiny phorid fly, native to a region of South America where the fire ants originated. Researchers have learned that fire ants in their home region are kept under control by as many as 23 phorid species. The flies lay eggs on the fire ants, and the eggs hatch into maggots inside the ant and eat away at the pest's tiny brain. The ant will get up and wander for about two weeks while the maggot feeds, said Rob Plowes, a research associate at the University of Texas at Austin. "There is no brain left in the ant, and the ant just starts wandering aimlessly," he said. About a month after the egg is laid, the ant's head falls off - and a new fly emerges ready to attack another fire ant. "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 Texas A&M's AgriLife Extension Service in Overton, in East Texas. Four phorid species have been introduced in the state since 1999. They don't attack native ants or other species and have been introduced in other Gulf Coast states, Plowes told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. But it will take time to determine if the flies are effective in Texas, perhaps as long as a decade. "It's not an immediate silver-bullet impact," Plowes said. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

05-14-2009, 08:59 AM	#2
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I'll keep my cricket bat handy. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

05-14-2009, 10:51 AM	#4
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	That's great. Until all the fire ants are dead and the little buggers adapt to a new food supply... HUMANS! But I, for one, welcome our new zombie-spawning overlords. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

05-19-2009, 10:10 AM	#6
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Ok, now that is just one creepy article. But interesting never the less. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

05-19-2009, 10:34 AM	#7
piercehawkeye45 Franklin Pierce Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,695	And the negative effects resulting from the phorid flies are? __________________ I like my perspectives like I like my baseball caps: one size fits all.

05-14-2009, 11:54 AM	#5
nowhereman sliding down the razor blade of life Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: just over the edge Posts: 228	I, for one, welcome our ant overlords ...

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