Imported fire ants have also been reported preying on important pecan insect pests including pecan weevil larvae and hickory shuckworm larvae and pupae. Impact on aphid predators. Two orchards with significant IFA densities will be selected. Each orchard will be divided into 12 subplots each of about 3 acres. Densities of green lacewing, a key aphid predator, will be determined with bands of corrugated cardboard fastened around branch terminals.
Bands serve as a pupation site for lacewing larvae and provide a rapid sampling method.
Densities of fire ants, aphids and aphid predators will be determined weekly beginning in May through June and every two weeks from June through September. Survey to determine pest status and economic impact. A series of questions will be designed to determine how fire ants are affecting pecan production, what management activities growers practice to minimize fire ant impact, and estimate the economic impact of fire ants in pecan production. Questions will be limited and concise so respondents can complete them in about ten minutes. Surveys will be distributed to pecan growers at Extension pecan workshops and meetings held each session.