Fireants

[peg4x4]

Just read there is a virus that attacks fireants! :shock: I'm so excited! :banana: :banana: Wonder where I can get some? :lol2:

 

[Earl Thigpen]

What ever happened to the nasty little flys that kill fireants?

 

[peg4x4]

I dunno,but want some of those too! :lol:

 

[Lammie]

Do you think that if the fireants were gone we could re-introduce the horned toad? My kids have never seen one. I can remember when you walked outside and they were everywhere!

 

[Parkerson Cattle Co.]

Texas Tech, is working with the horned lizards right now, there are quite a few in west texas right off of the caprock. They've been putting radio chips in them, and in someplaces, they've managed to survive. These fire ants have sure had a huge impact on them. maybe someday, they'll be able to repopulate

 

[Dusty Britches]

The Horned Lizard's biggest cause for decline is the same as all other species - loss of habitat. You can find Horned Lizards in open spaces that also support the Texas Harvester Ant (those giant red ants that build huge mounds). The harvester ant is the horned lizards preferred food.

 

[Parkerson Cattle Co.]

The red fire ant, eats the horned lizards young. Yes, loss of habitat is a big cause, but, they don't eat the introduced red fire ant. Another cause was pet trade in the 70's-80's.

 

[Alice]

The Horned Lizard's biggest cause for decline is the same as all other species - loss of habitat. You can find Horned Lizards in open spaces that also support the Texas Harvester Ant (those giant red ants that build huge mounds). The harvester ant is the horned lizards preferred food.

I've seen more and more of these red ant beds that you are talkin' about...but I've yet to see the horny toad. I hope I do. As children we used to watch those things "do their thing." I haven't seen one is so very long.

Alice

 

[flaboy?]

The University of Florida is working on the virus and I will volunteer to test it for them

 

[Bluestem]

http://www.livescience.com/animals/070507_ap_fire_ants
I thought this would be a direct link. Oh well. Go to animals, then most recent articles.

 

[peg4x4]

I think coastal burmada grass had an effect on the Horned Toads..It gets so thick they can't dig to lay their eggs..

There are some Horned Toads in Smithville-don't know why,saw one last year,and a friend that lives there says they havea few..