US-based entomologists are undertaking a study to determine the effectiveness of the microsporidium protozoan Thelohania solenopsae as a control agent for the red imported fire-ant. The parasitic protozoan, which is the fire-ant's most common pathogen in Brazil and Argentina, is expected to control the insects and reduce them from highly aggressive pests into less competitive ones with native species. A safe and effective biocontrol agent for the fire-ants has the advantage of eliminating environmental problems sometimes associated with chemical pesticides.
