Inaction levels for the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (hym.: formicidae): A predator of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis (col.: curculionidae)

The density of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), necessary to limit boll weevil abundance, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), below the action level was determined. An inaction level of 0.4 fire ants per shake bucket sample (i.e., four ants per 10 plant terminals) will provide boll weevil control approximately 90% of the time. A dynamic inaction level is also provided. Total mortality of boll weevil developmental stages including eggs through teneral adults averaged 97.9%. Of 100 boll weevil eggs deposited in cotton squares (flower buds), an average of two adults survive of which about half are female. Thus, the net replacement rate per generation (R_o is 1.0 which, in this case, indicates a stable boll weevil population.     

The classification of chemical reactions

The classification and shorthand designation of chemical reactions are considered. It is concluded that single-step reactions can be divided into a finite number of types, each of which could be represented by an unambiguous symbol. The various types are listed and illustrated. Multi-step reactions, however, cannot be classified (in any detail) in a limited number of ways and for such reactions the use of symbols to represent each step unambiguously results in unwieldy designations.     

Optical fibers for transmission of information

This article is meant to provide an overview on light and information transmission through glass fibers, the most important methods of fiber fabrication, and some examples of present-day applications.