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Modeling Control of Invasive Fire Ants by Gene Drive
Yiran Liu1, Samuel E Champer2, Benjamin C Haller2
1Center for Bioinformatics, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|October 27, 2025
Summary
Gene drive technology shows promise for controlling invasive fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). While challenges exist, novel strategies can enhance effectiveness against both colony types, aiding native species recovery.
Area of Science:
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics and Genetic Engineering
- Invasive Species Management
Background:
- The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is a highly invasive species with aggressive behavior, making traditional control methods insufficient.
- Ants present unique challenges for gene drive due to their complex colony structures (monogyne and polygyne) and haplodiploid genetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the effectiveness of homing suppression gene drive in fire ant populations.
- To explore strategies for overcoming gene drive limitations in haplodiploid organisms and assess the impact of interspecific competition.
Main Methods:
- Development of a spatially explicit model simulating gene drive dynamics in monogyne and polygyne fire ant colonies.
- Evaluation of standard suppression drives, novel strategies (dominant-sterile resistance, two-target drives, colony structure modification), and interspecific competition.
Main Results:
- Gene drive effectively eliminates polygyne colonies over time, with monogyne populations persisting at lower levels.
- Modified gene drive strategies (e.g., dominant-sterile resistance, two-target approaches) can restore high suppressive capability in haplodiploids.
- Interspecific competition can enhance gene drive efficacy, particularly during initial invasion phases, facilitating native species recolonization.
Conclusions:
- Gene drive is a promising long-term strategy for fire ant suppression, even with imperfect efficiency.
- Targeting conserved female fertility genes offers potential for efficient, low-resistance gene drive designs.
- Gene drive interventions, combined with ecological factors, could aid in restoring native habitats.
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