5. Asian Needle Ant F.L.C. LIU et al. species, part of a taxonomically challenging and not fully resolved complex which sympatric Brachyponera luteipes and Brachyponera nakasujii, the distribution of which is confounded with that of B. chinensis (Yashiro et al., 2010). Confirmed outdoor records of B. chinensis outside its native range are from the United States, where it is an abundant invasive species, and more recently from Georgia, Russia and Italy (Guénard et al., 2018, Schifani et al., 2024). An early report of this species from New Zealand requires confirmation. According to a recent predictive modelling, global climate change may greatly enhance the spread of B. chinensis by increasing the amount of suitable habitat (Bertelsmeier et al., 2013). Brachyponera chinensis was introduced to the United States from Japan and first detected in the early 1930s when it was already present at several well-separated sites in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia (Smith, 1934; Yashiro et al., 2010). The species remained largely inconspicuous member of local communities until its range began to rapidly expand in the early 2000s (Guénard et al., 2018). This invasive ant is now documented in much of the eastern United States from Florida in the south (records await confirmation) to Wisconsin and New England in the north, and Arkansas to the west (Fig. 1c). In North America, this species is often in anthropogenically disturbed sites such as found sidewalks, yards, mulched flower beds and city parks, but it is particularly abundant in both intact and disturbed hardwood and mixed forests. Impacts of the Asian needle ant can be threefold: (1) Brachyponera chinensis possess a venomous, painful sting with in susceptible individuals. A study conducted in Korea where this ant is native indicated that 2%–3% of people are susceptible to its sting (Cho et al. 2002); (2) This species has increasingly been found foraging indoors, not only serving as a nuisance pest but also increasing the likelihood of residents being stung (Guénard & Dunn, 2010); (3) Brachyponera chinensis thrives in undisturbed forests where it has detrimental effects on native ants and they provide, such as ant the ecosystem services seed-dispersal mechanisms (Rodriguez-Cabal et al., 2012). 5.2 Is the Asian Needle Ant Just Another Invasive Ant? Despite increasing concerns over the invasive Asian needle ant, effective management strategies in the United States remain elusive (Buczkowski, 2017). Unlike other invasive ants, B. chinensis exhibits unique foraging and recruitment behaviors that complicate traditional control methods. For instance, B. chinensis workers do not use pheromone trails for foraging recruitment. Instead, this invasive ant relies on “tandem carrying,” a slow process where a worker discovers a resource, returns to the colony and physically carries another worker to the site (Guenard instance, Liquid baits are effective for indoor ant control but face outdoor challenges, such as sugar fermentation, water loss leading to concentration changes and labor-intensive maintenance (Boser et al., 2014). To address these issues, controlled-release formulations such as hydrogels were developed. The first hydrogel for Argentine ant control was made of synthetic polyacrylamide, which contains super-absorbent matrices capable of retaining liquid feeding stimulants and toxicants (Buczkowski et al., 2014). However, the synthetic polyacrylamide hydrogel is not biodegradable and is susceptible to degradation at temperatures above 35°C, raising environmental concerns (Roy et al., 2014). Biodegradable alginate-based hydrogels address these issues, showing high efficacy against L. humile populations, though all hydrogels lose about 50% of their water content within four hours in hot, dry conditions (Tay et al., 2017; McCalla et al., 2020; Milosavljević et al., 2024). Strategic placement near irrigation points or shaded, humid areas mitigates these limitations, with rehydration from irrigation or rainfall restoring effectiveness (Tay et al., 2017; Cabrera et al., 2021). Another disadvantage hydrogels effectively eliminate is the need for bait dispensers such as bait stations. In other words, hydrogels, encapsulating liquid bait, can be broadcasted using mechanical spreaders or aerial drops, making them a cost-effective and scalable option for large-scale Argentine ant control (Tay et al., 2017; Merrill et al., 2018; McCalla et al., 2020; Hoffmann et al., 2023). This delivery system minimizes insecticide and environmental impact (McCalla et al., 2020). Non-target risks are minimal as hydrogel reduces pollinator exposure (Buczkowski, 2020; Hoffmann, 2023). Advances such as trail supplementing hydrogel baits with synthetic pheromones enhance species-specific attractiveness and efficacy, presenting a novel, targeted approach for managing Argentine ants (Choe et al., 2021). reducing use, The Asian needle ant is an East Asian ponerine incorporating (Z)-9-hexadecenal toxicant runoff includes for allergic the potential the reactions 174 other control methods significantly enhances pest management. For residual increases insecticide sprays with Argentine ant contact with treated surfaces, enabling greater control with reduced insecticide usage (Choe et al., 2014; Choe et al., 2021). Additionally, the incorporation of (Z)-9-hexadecenal into sucrose solutions enhances consumption by L. humile (Welzel & Choe, 2016). Although typically not a stand-alone solution, synthetic trail pheromones serve as effective tools to enhance existing ant management strategies while supporting reduced insecticide use (Choe et al., 2014). 4.3 Hydrogel 5.1 Current Status and Distribution
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