Data from: Solenopsis invicta Viruses and Kneallhazia solenopsae in Tennessee Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Populations

The dataset contains the geographic occurrence of Kneallhazia solenopsae (Knell, Allen & Hazard) (Microsporidia: Burenellidae) (formerly Thelohania solenopsae Knell Allen & Hazard) and Solenopsis invicta virues (SINV-1, SINV-2, and SINV-3) pathogens, as well as Pseudacteon spp. (phorid decapitating fly) presence in imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) colonies sampled throughout the entire Tennessee Federal Imported Fire Ant Quarantine (FIFAQ) area in 2015 to 2016. Pathogen and phorid presence were determined by PCR. Colonies were sampled from July to October in 2015 and 2016 (warm period) (n=440 colonies) and January to April in 2016 (winter period) (n=227 colonies) using a sampling grid of 12.1 by 12.1 kilometers placed over all locations in Tennessee within FIFAQ. During the cool period, every other grid was sampled resulting in a lower total sample number. The project goal was to determine geography and seasonality of pathogens and phorids in Tennessee fire ant populations.

The dataset also contains venom alkaloid (I_ALK) and cuticular hydrocarbon (I_HC) values for each fire ant colony sampled as determined by a Shimadzu QP-2010 Gas Chromatograph - Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS), which were used to determine if samples are red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) (RIFA), black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri Forel) (BIFA), or the hybrid imported fire ant (HIFA) of the two parental species. The I_ALK and I_HC values were used to calculate an average (I_AVG) and adjusted hybridity index value for each colony sampled with the adjusted value being used to determine BIFA, HIFA, or RIFA status.

The dataset also contains a random sub-sample of ant colonies (n=99) across hybridity groupings (described in Pandey et al. [2019]: https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz023 ) analyzed for the colony social form by analysis of the Gp-9 locus for B (monogyne [single queen]) and b (polygyne [multi-queen) alleles.

Other dataset items include the sampling date, the colony grid number, the colony county location and general state region (east, middle, west), global positioning system coordinates for each colony sample location, and colony elevation (meters and feet). A general sample site description is also provided for each sample site location.

Gaps in the dataset include sample grids where imported fire ant colonies could not be located (indicated by "No_" in the “Sampling_Successful” column). For samples where no fire ant colony could be located, the GPS coordinates and sample elevation are still provided using the grid point location, as well as the date of the attempted colony sampling. The dataset also does not contain any data for areas in-between grid points that were not sampled. In some cases where fire ant colonies could not be located near the grid point location, colonies were collected where they could be found as close to the grid center as possible.

Funding provided by:

USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Agreement No. 15-8130-0523-CA entitled "Distribution of Solenopsis invicta virus (SINV) and Kneallhazia solenopsae in Tennessee and potential relocation of virus into new areas".

USDA Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (U.S. National Arboretum CRIS #8020-21000-086-000D). Agreement No. 58-8020-8-009 entitled "Methods for Quarantine Certification and Biological Control of Imported Fire Ant in Nursery Production Systems".

USDA-ARS Southern Horticultural Research Unit (NACA entitled "Enhancing Sustainability and Efficiency of Nursery Plant Production in the Southeast U.S.". Agreement number 58-6062-3-003. Parent CRIS #6062-21430-004-00D entitled "Management of Diseases, Pests, and Pollinators in Horticultural Crops".

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Evans-Allen (Accession numbers 1004787 and 1014556)