Effects of fire ants (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) on hatching turtles and prevalence of fire ants on sea turtle nesting beaches in Florida

Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren) have increasingly been ob served in loggerhead (Caretta caretta; L.) and green (Chelonia mydas L.) se a turtle nests in Florida, and in the nests of freshwater turtles. They may be attracted to the disturbance, mucous and moisture associated with turtl e nesting and establish foraging tunnels into turtle nests shortly after eg g-laying thus increasing the vulnerability of hatchlings to fire ant predat ion. We conducted experiments on a freshwater turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni Car r) to determine the potential impacts of S. invicta on turtle hatchlings. O ver 70% of hatchlings were killed by S. invicta during pipping or shortly a fter hatching. To determine the extent of S. invicta infestation of sea tur tle nesting beaches, we sampled known nesting beaches throughout the state of Florida. Beach surveys indicated that S. invicta are present and often a bundant on most beaches and dunes along the Florida coast.