PARASITOID CASE HISTORY: AN EVALUATION OF METHODS USED TO ASSESS HOST RANGES OF FIRE ANT DECAPITATING FLIES

The first three papers in this section have discussed factors that affect the efficiency and suc-cess of laboratory host range tests. This paper presents an evaluation of how well those factors applied to our investigations of host ranges of fire ant decapitating flies in the genus Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae). We initially discuss the nature of the fire ant problem (Hy-menoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis spp.) and the need for effective self-sustaining biological control agents. We briefly review the biology of Pseudacteon decapitating flies, the overall results of our host range tests, and the current status of field releases of these biological con-trol agents. We conclude by discussing how well the recommendations of the three initial papers about 1) statistical procedures, 2) biotypes and cryptic species, and 3) experimental design, plus a recent book on the subject of host range testing, apply to our experiences with fire ant decapitating flies. BACKGROUND OF PARASITOID SYSTEM THE FIRE ANT PROBLEM AND NEED FOR SELF-SUSTAINING BIOLOGICAL CONTROL The major problem with invasive fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis spp.) is tha