ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the biological and technical problems that lie ahead; however, the adage that problems are only opportunities awaiting discovery is appropos also for biocontrol of imported fire ants (IFA). It is uncertain whether Thelohaniasolenopsae is one species or a complex of sibling species of microsporidia. Virus-like particles were found by Avery et al. in an unidentified species of fire ant of the S. saevissima complex from Brazil. In Brazil, as in the United States, fire ants are most abundant in environments which have been disturbed by man. Only the free spores of Burenelladimorpha are infective perorally for fire ant larvae. The first technical problem encountered in microbial control of IFA research was the efficient screening of colonies for pathogens. Also of concern for biological control is the tremendous reproductive potential of IFA which tends to mitigate the effects of biological control agents.
