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Oral Presentation
Oral Presentation
Poster Display
Poster Display
Student Competition
Student Competition
Ticketed Event
Ticketed Event

Student Poster Display Competition

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

Student Competition

Student

Grad Poster Competition: MUVE, General

Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) foraging belowground and efficacy of varying trap parameters

Monday, November 10, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific
Location: Exhibit Hall A-A1, OCC
Poster Display Student Competition
Solenopsis invicta is an invasive species of fire ant which has spread widely throughout the southern United States since it’s introduction. This study focused on investigating variations to a trap design which can be buried below the surface, allowing an assessment of the efficacy of this trap based on the variable parameters, and gaining some general information about ants foraging on resources located below ground. As part of a larger overall investigation on the ability to use ants as indicators for locating clandestine graves, this trapping method provides a minimally invasive technique that non-entomologically trained investigators will be more likely to use. In addition, results of this research expand upon the general knowledge of the red imported fire ants’ lure preferences and spatial aspects of foraging, including distances from visible colonies and depth below ground.