New York State Climate Impacts Assessment Chapter 03: Agriculture.

Agriculture is a vital industry in New York State, which ranks among the top-producing states for dairy, fruits, and several other commodities. As agriculture depends on the weather and specific climatic conditions, this sector faces extraordinary challenges as New York's climate changes. This chapter explores the many impacts of a changing climate on agriculture, the ways these impacts interact with other challenges that New York farmers and farmworkers face, and opportunities for the agriculture industry to adapt and build resilience.

Integrated pest management concepts for red imported fire ants Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Management of imported fire ant species has evolved since their accidental introduction into the United States and currently uses integrated pest management concepts to design, implement, and evaluate suppression programs. Although eradication is the management goal in certain isolated infestation sites, localized goals vary dramatically in larger infestations where reinvasion of treated areas is likely. These goals are influenced by regulatory policies, medical liabilities, ecological impact, and/or economic considerations.

Native ant responses to Solenopsis invicta buren reduction using broadcast baits.

A pilot study was conducted to investigate the impact of Solenopsis invicta management with an insect growth regulator bait (s-methoprene) on native ant species and to determine the responses of these species to S. invicta reduction. This invasive species alters the diversity and structure of different trophic levels of arthropod assemblages.

Resurgence and persistence of Dorymyrmex flavus after reduction of Solenopsis invicta buren with a broadcast bait.

The effects of bait treatment(s) on population dynamics of Solenopsis invicta and Dorymyrmex flavus were studied, and various factors underlying the resurgence and persistence of D. flavus to reinvasion by S. invicta were studied in more detail.