Effects of hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) on Worker Behavior of red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invcita

Abstract

The effect of hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) activated under visible light on worker behavior of Solenopsis invcita was studied with the potter spray tower method. The results showed that greater than 10 mg/L HMME activated under visible light could reduce the walking, grasping, aggregation, and water and food recognition abilities of red imported fire worker ant significantly, but 100 mg/L HMME in darkness could not affect their abilities or behaviors significantly. Therefore, HMME may be a potential novel insecticide that can be used as a substitute for toxic insecticides for controlling red imported fire ants.

Keywords

• Solenopsis invcita
• Red imported fire ant
• Hematoporphyrin Monomethyl Ether
• Behavior