Distribution of Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporida : Thelohaniidae) infecting red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) in Texas
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Colonies of red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Buren), were collected from infested counties in Texas during 2002 and 2003. Ten samples from each were examined by means of microscopy and PCR for the presence of the microsporidian parasite, Thelohania solenopsae Knell, Alan and Hazard. A total of 1,629 colonies were collected from 160 counties. T. solenopsae was found in 500 colonies resulting in an overall infection rate of 30.9% for the state. Infection in colonies from individual counties ranged from 0 to 100%. Although the parasite appears more prevalent in the southern and western regions of the state when viewed on a distribution map, this was not a statistically significant finding. PCR proved more sensitive at detecting T. solenopsae, the overall difference in efficiency was 3.56%.