FACTORS THAT INDUCE EMERGENCE AND FLIGHT OF SOUTHERN FIRE ANT ALATES (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

Alates of southern fire ant, Solenopsis xyloni (McCook), emerged 2 h b efore sunset from May to October in southern California. Emergence app eared to be associated with the time of day and light intensity. Other abiotic factors that may also influence alate flights include rainfal l, relative humidity > 60%, and wind speed < 8 km/h. Spraying alates w ith paint provided an effective, long-lasting marking technique that d id not affect survivorship. Marked alates survived up to 15 weeks in t he laboratory and field. Swarming at an inland site occurred in June, July and August. When swarming did not occur, alates returned to the c olony within 15 min of sunset. The lack of swarming at a coastal site in San Diego was attributed to continuous sea breezes in excess of 8 k m/h.