Effect of electrical fields on the red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
1992
Mackay, W.P. | Vinson, S.B. | Irving, J. | Majdi, S. | Messer, C.
We demonstrate that the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, is attracted to electric fields. Attraction is directly proportional to field strength (determined by voltage and distance between charged disks) for both direct (DC) and alternating (AC) current. Direct and alternating current attracts approximately equal numbers of ants at the same voltage and distance between charged disks. The only difference observed between the two types of current is that ants leave AC-charged disks at a much lower rate when the circuit is opened. We have not yet determined how or why ants detect and are attracted to electric fields. This attraction results in problems when ants invade, short-circuit, and destroy electrical equipment.
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