Collaborative Research: Do Positive Species Interactions Promote Invasions? Effects of Ant-hemipteran Mutualisms on the Success and Consequences of Ant Invasions

拟议的研究重点是红色进口火蚁(Solenopsis Invicta)和阿根廷蚂蚁(Linephema Humile)，这两种蚂蚁是北美分布最广、数量最多、对生态造成破坏的两种入侵蚂蚁。这两种蚂蚁通常都与产生蜜露的真正昆虫(半翅目)发展互惠互利的关系，包括各种各样的蚜虫、鳞片和粉虱。这些关联对农业系统造成了巨大的破坏。这项研究的目的是了解入侵蚂蚁和产生蜜露的昆虫之间的这些联系如何增强入侵蚂蚁的优势及其在美国的影响。这将通过温室实验、田间操作和稳定同位素分析的组合来实现。蚂蚁及其相关的半翅目昆虫提供了独特的教育机会。火蚁和阿根廷蚂蚁作为城市害虫的熟悉程度以及它们作为入侵物种的突出地位，使它们成为对生态、行为和保护感兴趣的学生的理想教学工具。此外，蚂蚁和产蜜露的半翅目昆虫之间的相互作用提供了无处不在且容易观察到的互惠互利的例子。这项研究的实验可控性有可能为学生创造无数参与的机会。私人投资机构致力于促进多样性，并将继续参与和指导科学界代表性不足的群体。拟议的研究结果也将在一个基于网络的教育工具中占据突出地位。

The proposed research centers on the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) and the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), the two most widespread, abundant and ecologically damaging invasive ants in North America. Both of these ants commonly develop mutualistic relationships with honeydew-producing true bugs (Hemiptera), including a wide variety of aphids, scales, and mealybugs. These associations lead to immense damage in agricultural systems. The goal of this research is to understand how these associations between invasive ants and honeydew producing insects enhance the dominance of invasive ants and their impacts in the United States. This will be accomplished through a combination of greenhouse experiments, field manipulations, and stable-isotope analysis. Ants and their associated Hemiptera provide unique educational opportunities. The familiarity of fire ants and Argentine ants as urban pests and their prominence as invasive species make them ideal instructional tools for students interested in ecology, behavior, and conservation. Moreover, interactions between ants and honeydew-producing Hemiptera provide ubiquitous and easily observed examples of mutualisms. The experimental tractability of this research has the potential to generate numerous opportunities for student involvement. The PIs are committed to fostering diversity and will continue to involve and to mentor under-represented groups in science. The findings of the proposed research will also figure prominently in a web-based educational tool.