A rapid field identification method for solenopsis invicta

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of red imported fire ant field rapid identification method.The application provides a kind of red imported fire ant rapid identification device by combining the attack characteristics of red imported fire ant, and the device is disposable bamboo stick of division trapping area, first stage area, second stage area, third stage area, fourth stage area and top hand-held area;If the number of red imported fire ant that crawls to trapping area within 10 seconds is more than 9 and the number of ant in first stage area is more than 1 when hand-held top hand-held area of the device inserts trapping area into dense place of ant, it is judged as red imported fire ant.The red imported fire ant rapid identification device and identification method of the application have the advantages of simple operation, accurate identification, rapid response and the like, can rapidly and accurately identify red imported fire ant, provide strong technical support for the prevention and control of red imported fire ant, and have wide application prospect and popularization value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of insect ecology and measurement technology, specifically relating to a rapid field identification method for red imported fire ants. Background Technology

[0002] As a highly aggressive and harmful invasive species, red imported fire ants pose a significant threat to agricultural and forestry production, human and livestock health, biodiversity, and public safety. Due to the large number of their vectors, the spread of red imported fire ants continues to increase. Therefore, accurate identification and timely control of red imported fire ants are of paramount importance.

[0003] Traditional methods for identifying red imported fire ants primarily rely on laboratory morphological identification and molecular biological analysis. These methods require specialized personnel and equipment, and the identification process is cumbersome and time-consuming. In the field, identification depends on manual observation and morphological feature analysis, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also susceptible to subjective factors, leading to inaccurate results. Furthermore, with the spread and proliferation of red imported fire ants in different regions, traditional identification methods are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of practical control efforts.

[0004] In recent years, with the development of optical recognition and computer vision technologies, more and more researchers have begun to explore the application of these technologies to the identification of red imported fire ants. However, the operation process of these technologies is relatively cumbersome and costly. Currently, there is still a lack of a simple, fast, and accurate red imported fire ant identification device on the market, which to some extent restricts the effective implementation of red imported fire ant control efforts.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a fast, accurate, and easy-to-use identification tool to meet the pressing needs of red imported fire ant control efforts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the field of insect ecology, red imported fire ants are an invasive alien species that poses a serious threat to agricultural ecosystems and public safety. Therefore, monitoring and identifying red imported fire ants is crucial for preventing and controlling their spread and occurrence. Traditional methods for identifying red imported fire ants mainly rely on manual observation and morphological analysis, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also easily influenced by subjective factors, leading to inaccurate results. Currently, red imported fire ant identification primarily utilizes traditional morphological and molecular biological identification techniques, with computer vision technology also being applied. However, these methods require specialized personnel and equipment, and the identification process is cumbersome and time-consuming. There is still a lack of a simple, rapid, and accurate red imported fire ant identification device, which to some extent hinders the effective implementation of red imported fire ant control efforts.

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a rapid identification device for red imported fire ants, specifically a device that identifies red imported fire ants by measuring the number of ants crawling within a specified time. This device utilizes an improved disposable bamboo stick to achieve rapid and preliminary measurement of the number of red imported fire ants. Specifically, the device can collect red imported fire ant samples by taking advantage of their aggressive behavior, and within 10 seconds, the distribution of the ants on the device can be manually observed and the data compared, enabling rapid preliminary identification of the red imported fire ants.

[0008] In summary, the rapid identification device for red imported fire ants provided by this invention is an instrument for identifying red imported fire ants by measuring their number. It has the advantages of rapid measurement and simple operation, providing a new and effective means for monitoring and identifying red imported fire ants, thus enabling better identification of red imported fire ants and the formulation of more effective prevention and control measures.

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a rapid identification method for red imported fire ants in the field, which includes the following steps: holding the top hand area of ​​the rapid identification device for red imported fire ants, inserting the tip of the trapping area into a densely populated area of ​​ants, timing for 10 seconds, and observing the number of ants crawling to each area. If the number of ants crawling to the trapping area within 10 seconds is more than 9 and the number of ants in the first stage area is more than 1, then the identified ants are red imported fire ants.

[0010] The aforementioned rapid identification device for red imported fire ants is a bamboo stick measuring 30cm in length and 2.5mm in diameter, divided into the following areas by scales: a trapping area with a scale of 0cm to 5cm, a first-stage area with a scale of 5cm to 10cm, a second-stage area with a scale of 15cm to 20cm, a third-stage area with a scale of 20cm to 25cm, and a top handheld area with a scale of 25cm to 30cm.

[0011] Preferably, the method includes the following steps: holding the top handheld area of ​​the red imported fire ant rapid identification device, inserting the tip of the trapping area into a densely populated area of ​​ants, timing for 10 seconds, and observing the number of ants crawling to each area. If the number of ants crawling to the trapping area within 10 seconds is more than 9 and the number of ants in the first stage area is more than 2, then the identified ants are red imported fire ants.

[0012] Preferably, the rapid identification device for red imported fire ants is a bamboo stick 30cm long and 2.5mm in diameter, with one end cylindrical and the other end pointed. Starting from the pointed end, the stick is divided into the following areas by scales: a trapping area with a scale of 0cm to 5cm, a first-stage area with a scale of 5cm to 10cm, a second-stage area with a scale of 15cm to 20cm, a third-stage area with a scale of 20cm to 25cm, and a top handheld area with a scale of 25cm to 30cm.

[0013] Preferably, inserting the tip of the attracting area into a densely populated area of ​​ant activity means inserting the tip 0-1cm into the densely populated area of ​​ant activity.

[0014] Preferably, the area with the dense activity of ants is an ant nest or an ant colony with more than 200 ants.

[0015] The present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] This invention utilizes the aggressive behavior of red imported fire ants to attract samples, and then divides the crawling distance into stages based on experimental data to quickly determine whether the ant is a red imported fire ant. With this rapid red imported fire ant identification device, users can conveniently identify red imported fire ants in the field, improving identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0017] First, the rapid identification device for red imported fire ants provided by this invention is easy to operate and carry, and can be used to identify red imported fire ants without the need for professional personnel; second, it has a high identification accuracy rate and can accurately distinguish red imported fire ants from other common ant species; finally, it has a fast identification speed, which can meet the timeliness requirements of red imported fire ant control work. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 It is a rapid identification device for red imported fire ants.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of red imported fire ants collected in the trapping area within 10 seconds.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of tropical fire ants collected in the trapping area within 10 seconds.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of Stegospermian ants collected in the trapping area within 10 seconds.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of *Bombyx mori* ants collected in the baiting area within 10 seconds.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of dark brown ants collected in the trapping area within 10 seconds.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of Bilochus ants collected in the trapping area within 10 seconds.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of black-headed sour ants collected in the trapping area within 10 seconds.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of grass paving ants collected in the bait area within 10 seconds.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of Chinese house ants collected in the trapping area within 10 seconds.

[0028] Figure 11 This is a frequency distribution map of the Nicobar ants collected in the trapping area within 10 seconds.

[0029] Figure 12 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of red imported fire ants collected in the first phase area within 10 seconds.

[0030] Figure 13 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of Chinese house ants collected in the first phase area within 10 seconds.

[0031] Figure 14 This is a frequency distribution map of tropical fire ants collected in the first phase area within 10 seconds.

[0032] Figure 15 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of Stegospermian ants collected in the first phase area within 10 seconds.

[0033] Figure 16 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of *Bombyx mori* ants collected in the first phase area within 10 seconds.

[0034] Figure 17 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of dark brown ants collected in the first phase area within 10 seconds.

[0035] Figure 18 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of Bilochus ants collected in the first phase area within 10 seconds.

[0036] Figure 19 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of black-headed sour ants collected in the first-stage area within 10 seconds.

[0037] Figure 20 This is a frequency distribution map of the number of paving ants collected in the first phase area within 10 seconds.

[0038] Figure 21 This is a frequency distribution map of Nicobar ants collected in the first phase area within 10 seconds. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The following embodiments are further illustrations of the present invention, but not limitations thereof.

[0040] This invention utilizes the aggressive behavior of red imported fire ants to attract red imported fire ant samples, and then divides the crawling distance into stages based on the experimental data, which can quickly determine whether the ant is a red imported fire ant.

[0041] This invention provides a rapid identification device for red imported fire ants, which is an improved disposable bamboo stick. A disposable bamboo stick, 30cm long and 2.5mm in diameter (one end cylindrical, the other pointed), is divided into six 5cm segments: a trapping area (0cm–5cm), a first-stage area (5cm–10cm), a second-stage area (10cm–15cm), a third-stage area (15cm–20cm), a fourth-stage area (20cm–25cm), and a top-holding area (25cm–30cm). The pointed end of the bamboo stick is the trapping area, which serves as the starting point for measurement. This segment is marked from 0cm to 5cm, with a dividing line at 5cm. During operation, hold the top of the bamboo skewer (25cm to 30cm) and vertically insert the pointed end (within 1cm) of the bait area into the ant colony. Start timing for 10 seconds. At this time, the ants will crawl along the bait area onto the bamboo skewer. After 10 seconds, observe the distribution of the ants. If there are more than 9 ants in the bait area, and more than 1 ant has crawled to the first stage area, then it is identified as a red imported fire ant. With this rapid identification device, users can conveniently identify red imported fire ants in the wild, improving identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] 1. Materials and Methods

[0044] This embodiment used ten species of ants as experimental subjects: red imported fire ant, tropical fire ant, *Schönlein's bighead ant*, *Bibliotheca acuminata*, *S. brevicornu*, *S. brevicornu*, *S. brevicornu*, *S. brevicornu*, *S. brevicornu*, *S. chinensis*, *S. chinensis*, and *S. nicotinus*. Information on the experimental ants used is shown in Table 1.

[0045] Table 1. Information on the experimental ants

[0046] Genus Species name Latin name Native / Invasive Solenopsis Solenopsis invicta Invasive Solenopsis Solenopsis geminata Invasive Pheidole Pheidole smythiesii Forel Native Tetramorium Tetramorium bicarinatum Native Crematogaster Crematogaster rogenhoferi Native Crematogaster Crematogaster biroi Native Tapinoma Tapinoma melanocephalum Native Tetramorium Tetramorium caespitum Native Monomorium Monomorium chinense Native Camponotus Camponotus nicobarensis Native Figure 1 df 0-5 cm 5-10 cm 10-15 cm 15-20 cm 20-25 cm Figure 2 to Figure 11 Figure 2 Figure 12

[0047] In this embodiment, disposable bamboo skewers (30cm × 2.5mm) are divided into 5cm segments and marked. The bamboo skewers are divided into 6 segments: the attraction area (the starting point for measurement, scale 0cm to 5cm), the first stage area (scale 5cm to 10cm), the second stage area (scale 10cm to 15cm), the third stage area (scale 15cm to 20cm), the fourth stage area (scale 20cm to 25cm), and the top holding area (scale 25cm to 30cm). The specific division of the bamboo skewers is as follows... Figure 13 As shown. During the experiment, hold the bamboo skewer 25cm-30cm from the tip and place the pointed end (1cm) vertically in an area with high ant activity (a plastic container containing 200 ants). Time the experiment for 10 seconds, observe the ants crawling up the skewer, and record the number of ants at each distance. Repeat the experiment 100 times for each type of ant.

[0048] 2 Results and Analysis

[0049] Data Processing: Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 software. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to check for normality, and one-way ANOVA was used to check for homogeneity of variance. The tests showed that the experimental data did not follow a normal distribution and had unequal variances; therefore, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. The results showed that the overall p-values ​​were all less than 0.05 (Table 2). Therefore, the Mann-Whitney test was used for pairwise comparisons (Table 3). Finally, the frequency of ant numbers in the trapping area and the first-stage area in 100 repeated trials with different ants was further analyzed, and pie charts were plotted.

[0050] Table 3 shows that red imported fire ants were most numerous in the 0cm–5cm distance zone (i.e., the trapping zone). The median, lower quartile, and upper quartile of red imported fire ants were all greater than 20, specifically 28.5 (median), 23 (lower quartile), and 34 (upper quartile). Other ants in this area had medians, lower quartiles, and upper quartiles all below 5, significantly lower than the red imported fire ants. For example, the second most numerous ant was the pavement ant, with a median of 3, a lower quartile of 1, and an upper quartile of 5. Table 3 also shows that red imported fire ants were most numerous in the 5–10cm distance zone (i.e., the first stage zone), with a median of 3, a lower quartile of 2, and an upper quartile of 4. The analysis results indicate that the number of red imported fire ants in this zone was also significantly higher than that of other ants.

[0051] Table 2. Results of the Kruskal-Wallis test.

[0052] H Figure 2 - Figure 11 p Figure 12 - Figure 21 423.028 9 0 ** ]] ​ 499.334 9 0 ** ]] ​ 247.831 9 0 ** ]] ​ 202.376 9 0 ** ]] ​ 506.890 9 0 ** ]]

[0053] Note: * indicates p < 0.05, ** indicates p < 0.01.

[0054] Table 3. Number of different distances 10 ant species can crawl on bamboo skewers within 10 seconds

[0055]

[0056]

[0057] Note: Data in the table represent the median, lower quartile, and upper quartile. No identical letters following the same data point in the same column indicate a significant difference (p < 0.05). All results have been Bonferroni corrected.

[0058] ​ This is a frequency distribution map of the number of ants collected in the trapping area within 10 seconds. ​ The frequency distribution of red imported fire ants is more complex and diverse than that of other ants, but the minimum number of red imported fire ants collected is 9, accounting for 2%, meaning that the frequency of collecting more than 9 red imported fire ants within 10 seconds in the trap area is 100%. In the frequency distribution of other ants in the trap area, only the number of *Holothuria sinensis* ants that can be collected reaches 9; all others are less than 9, and the frequency of *Holothuria sinensis* ants with a count of 9 is extremely low, accounting for only 1%.

[0059] Since only the red imported fire ant and the Chinese house ant have more than nine ants in the trapping area, the focus will be on the difference in the number of red imported fire ants and Chinese house ants in the first stage area. ​ and ​ As shown, by further comparing the number of ants in the first stage area, the proportion of *C. sinensis* ants in the first stage area was 0 in 99% of the time. This means that the frequency of *C. sinensis* ants reaching the first stage area (number greater than 0) within 10 seconds was only 1% (and at most only 1 ant). In other words, the probability of having more than 9 *C. sinensis* ants in the trapping area and more than 1 ant in the first stage area was only 0.01%. Meanwhile, the proportion of *R. arapaima* ants in the first stage area was 0 in 6% of the time. This means that the frequency of at least one *R. arapaima* ant reaching the first stage area within 10 seconds was 94%, and at most 8 *R. arapaima* ants could reach the first stage area.

[0060] Overall, considering the frequency distribution map of ant numbers in the trapping area ( ​ ) and the frequency distribution map of ant populations in the first phase area ( ​ It is clear that within 10 seconds, only the red imported fire ant and the Chinese house ant can simultaneously satisfy the conditions of having more than 9 ants in the trap area and more than 1 ant in the first stage area. However, the probability of the Chinese house ant being able to simultaneously achieve the conditions of having 9 ants in the trap area and 1 ant in the first stage area is only 0.01%.

[0061] In summary, if a bamboo skewer is inserted vertically into an area with a high concentration of ants for 10 seconds, and the ants can crawl to the 0cm-10cm area (the trapping area and the first stage area), and there are more than 9 ants in the 0cm-5cm area (the trapping area) and more than 1 ant in the 5cm-10cm area (the first stage area), then it is identified as a red imported fire ant.

Claims

1. A rapid field identification method for red imported fire ants, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Hold the top of the red imported fire ant rapid identification device and insert the pointed part of the trapping area into the area where ants are densely active. Time it for 10 seconds and observe the number of ants crawling to each area. If more than 9 ants crawl to the trapping area within 10 seconds and more than 1 ant in the first stage area, then the ants identified are red imported fire ants. The aforementioned rapid identification device for red imported fire ants is a bamboo stick measuring 30 cm in length and 2.5 mm in diameter, divided into the following areas by scales: a trapping area with a scale of 0 cm to 5 cm, a first-stage area with a scale of 5 cm to 10 cm, a second-stage area with a scale of 15 cm to 20 cm, a third-stage area with a scale of 20 cm to 25 cm, and a top handheld area with a scale of 25 cm to 30 cm.

2. The rapid field identification method for red imported fire ants according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned rapid identification device for red imported fire ants is a bamboo stick 30 cm long and 2.5 mm in diameter, with one end cylindrical and the other end pointed. Starting from the pointed end, it is divided into the following areas by graduations: the attraction area with graduations of 0 cm to 5 cm, the first stage area with graduations of 5 cm to 10 cm, the second stage area with graduations of 15 cm to 20 cm, the third stage area with graduations of 20 cm to 25 cm, and the top handheld area with graduations of 25 cm to 30 cm.

3. The method for rapid field identification of red imported fire ants according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Hold the top of the red imported fire ant rapid identification device and insert the pointed part of the trapping area into the area where ants are densely active. Time it for 10 seconds and observe the number of ants crawling to each area. If more than 9 ants crawl to the trapping area and more than 2 ants crawl to the first stage area within 10 seconds, then the ants identified are red imported fire ants.

4. The rapid field identification method for red imported fire ants according to claim 1, characterized in that, The phrase "inserting the tip of the trapping area into a densely populated area of ​​ant activity" means inserting the tip 0-1 cm into the densely populated area of ​​ant activity.

5. The method for rapid field identification of red imported fire ants according to claim 1, characterized in that, The areas where ants are most active are ant nests or ant colonies with more than 200 ants.

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