Distribution and abundance of imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Florida sugarcane fields

Twenty-eight sugarcane fields in Florida were sampled for ants using baits or pitfall traps. Using baits, the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, was clearly the dominant ant species being found in the highest percentage of all fields, the highest percentage of all bait cards, the greatest total number caught, and the highest relative abundance. Using pitfall traps, S. invicta was again the dominant ant species being found in the highest percentage of all fields, the highest percentage of all pitfall traps, the greatest total number caught, and the highest relative abundance. S. invicta was first found in Florida sugarcane in 1970. Our data show that since 1970 S. invicta has become the dominant ant species in Florida sugarcane, resulting in a large reduction in the relative abundance of other ant species