Biocontrol of Little Fire Ant using Orasema minutissima parasitoid
Exploratory research at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to survey, culture, and test the parasitoid Orasema minutissima as a biological control agent against the Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), a serious agricultural pest in Hawaiʻi that resists chemical treatment.
Overview
The Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata, LFA) is a serious agricultural pest in Hawaiʻi that is extremely difficult to control with chemical means. This proposal seeks to develop a biological control strategy by studying Orasema minutissima, a parasitoid wasp discovered parasitizing LFA populations on the island of Hawaiʻi. The research aims to determine whether O. minutissima can be deployed as a natural enemy to reduce LFA's impact on Hawaiʻi's agriculture, following a model similar to fly-based biocontrol programs used against the Red Imported Fire Ant in the southern United States.
Technical specifications
Research approach:
- Statewide survey of Orasema presence and distribution across Hawaiʻi
- Development of laboratory rearing methods to maintain O. minutissima in culture
- Initial observational laboratory tests evaluating the effects of introducing Orasema to W. auropunctata colonies
- Assessment of parasitoid host specificity and potential utility as a biocontrol agent
Key considerations:
- Social insects such as ants are notoriously difficult to control with biological control organisms
- Orasema has been detected only in limited LFA populations on Hawaiʻi Island, with no prior studies undertaken
- This research is novel in Hawaiʻi and has not been previously pursued
Technology readiness level
This is an early-stage exploratory study serving as seed funding to determine whether further research is warranted. The work comprises three sequential elements: (1) expanded survey efforts, (2) laboratory culture development, and (3) initial observational bioassays. Success at this stage would justify expanded investigation into O. minutissima as a viable biocontrol agent for Little Fire Ant management in Hawaiʻi.
About University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the state’s flagship public research university, combining a comprehensive academic portfolio with a strong applied research culture. Industry engages through coastal and island field stations, engineering and test facilities, and an integrated medical school that partners with hospitals across Hawaiʻi to enable clinical translation. A dedicated research corporation and experienced sponsored programs staff streamline contracting, compliance, and rapid onboarding for complex, multi‑partner projects. Proximity to major Pacific defense commands, maritime ports, and trans‑Pacific air routes provides geographic advantages for prototyping and deployment. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, NOAA, NASA, and the Department of Defense, and a technology transfer office advances IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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