Laboratory Rearing of the Imported Fire Ant1

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Abstract
A laboratory technique was developed for rearing colonies of the imported fire ant, Solenopsis saevissima richteri Forel, from dealated mated queens. The mated queens were confined individually in shell vials and allowed to produce minim workers. When the workers began to forage, the minature colonies were transferred to soil-filled I-gal glass jars and kept in a lighted room. At a relative humidity of 75-85% and a temperature of 80-85°F, 22-28 days were required for mated queens to rear the 1st adult minim workers, 4 months to rear the 1st minor workers, and 7 months to rear the 1st major workers. In I colony, the first alate male and female adults emerged in 9 months. These alate adults eventually took part in mating flights as occur in nature and completed the reproductive cycle of the colony. For mass rearing of colonies, a special chamber was devised with sides made of wood, the top of semitransparent polyethylene, and the bottom of tin. Relative humidity between 75 and 85% was maintained by holding I inch of water inside the chamber, and temperature between 80 and 85°F. was maintained inside the chamber by holding the room temperature at about 80°F. Sunlight or artificial light was allowed to fall on the colonies through the semitransparent polyethylene top. By using this procedure many colonies at various stages of development may be maintained in the laboratory.

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