At last, the farmers and ranchers in the United States got a weapon to kill the plaguing red fire ants. Thanks to a naturally occurring virus that kills these devastating ants, and also to the U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers in Florida for spotting these viruses.
The massive fire ant colonies devastate crops, damage farm and electrical equipment, leading to increase in soil erosion. The insect’s stinging attacks have left both humans and livestock bummed out. But, the predator of the ants — the virus – can cause slow death to these infected colonies.
The department, trying to make the best use of these viruses to eradicate the nuisance-creating ants, has come up with an innovative plan to develop a fire ant-controlling pesticide from the virus!
The ants, since its arrival in the United States in the 1930s, have plagued the regions to presently lead to $6 billion damage annually across the nation, which includes about $1.2 billion in Texas alone.
But, muting this new innovative idea, the researchers seem to be relief of their worries about the plaguing fire ants. Bob Vander Meer, the leader of the USDA research team in Gainesville, Fla said,
Certainly, we are excited about it. I think the virus has great potential. No question about it.
What is causing the delay in developing the pesticide is the agency’s finding commercial partners.
Photo: discovery.com