King, J.R., Johnson, A., Middleton, E.G., & Diepenbrock, L.M. Evaluating control methods for red imported fire ant and their effects on hibiscus mealybug in citrus. Journal of Applied Entomology 2022 DOI: 10.1111/jen.13110

Keywords:

ant association

Notes: While all treatments reduced the number of Solenopsis invicta colonies in treated areas compared to an untreated control, only ground applications of insecticide and the two ant baits significantly reduced the abundance of S. invicta found tending hibiscus mealybug colonies. Our results suggest that reducing the number of S. invicta tending hibiscus mealybug colonies can lead to higher natural enemy abundance and lower hibiscus mealybug abundance.