Decline in Fire Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Solenopsis spp.) Along an Important Sea Turtle Nesting Beach at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St Croix, US Virgin Islands

Abstract

Two species of fire ants, Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius) and Solenopsis invicta (Buren), pose important threats to sea turtles, attacking hatchlings both within the nest and as they emerge and head towards the ocean. We surveyed ants at permanent markers along a major sea turtle nesting beach at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands, where both S. geminata and S. invicta occur. Over the course of five surveys in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022, the percent of tuna baits with S. geminata or S. invicta present declined from 48% in 2006, to 30%, 16%, 2%, and 4% in the four subsequent surveys. The reasons for the decline in fire ants on this beach are uncertain, but it is likely a positive development for nesting sea turtles.