Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta Buren

Since it was found in Taiwan and mainland, the spread of red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren into China has been continuous. In order to achieve better control of this pest, science and technology research on fire ants has advanced from many aspects. This paper presents the history of fire ant invasion and spread, estimated origins and social forms, present distribution, and potential expansion in China. Also the invasion biology and ecology is discussed in view of ecological impacts of the invasion. Management of S. invicta in China was implemented as soon as it was detected. Besides biological and physical control, monitoring, quarantine, and chemical control were widely studied and employed. Although a lot of work was done, the fire ant spread in China remains and will proceed rapidly in the future, mainly due to poor quarantine.