Brain eating flies used in war against imported fire ants

[kristopher]

Brain eating flies used in war against imported fire ants
By Rob Pavey Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 3, 2012


...“They got here in the ’30s and spread to Georgia in the ’50s,” the University of Georgia entomologist said.

The newest control strategy — pioneered in Florida — involves the introduction of tiny insects known as phorid flies, whose larvae attack, kill and decapitate fire ants.

“We’ve got the state pretty well covered,” he said. “Every county in Georgia has at least one species of the phorid, and we have 40 counties that have two species.”

The fly, native to South America where imported fire ants originated, reproduces by injecting eggs into ants. The larvae eat the ant’s brain before emerging through its head.

Scientists at...

http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2012-04-03/brain-eating-flies-used-war-against-imported-fire-ants?v=1333478699

[Turbineguy]

1. After the larvae

are injected the ants go around wearing three cornered hats and saying "Taxed Enough Already!"

[kristopher]

4. I knew there was a good Republican joke lurking in there somewhere.

Last edited Fri Jun 1, 2012, 11:02 AM - Edit history (1)

Kudos for a great one.

[CanonRay]

2. No, nothing can go wrong here

I think I'd rather have fire ants than brain eating flies. When do the flies start eating other animals brains...like ours?

[quakerboy]

3. I question this plan

If the brain eating flies are supposed to eradicate the ants, why are there still ants in south america where the flies originate?

Also, what indigenous insect will the flies decide is a tastier and easier treat than fireants?

[NYC_SKP]

5. What could POSSIBLY go wrong???

How about cross breeding...

...result...

..BRAIN EATING FIRE ANTS!!!