ABSTRACT

The imported fire ant, Solenopsisinvicta, is a predaeeous and omnivorous insect that can be beneficial or detrimental depending upon which organisms they utilize for food. This chapter aims to stress the importance of a sound field ecology approach to the study of the economic aspects of S. invicta because it is influenced by a multiplicity of biotic and abiotis factors. E. A. White showed that as levels of predation on sugarcane borer increased in ratoon crops, significantly stronger negative correlations were noted between S. invicta and other ants. D. A. Fillman et al evaluated sampling techniques for determining population levels of S. invicta needed for effective predation in the cotton ecosystem. Most field ecology studies of S. invicta have underscored the insect's generalist feeding habits. Additionally, the point is made that "pest" is a man-made term and that an insect such as S. invicta should not be described as such until the research to define its relationships has been conducted.