Web site: https://yanglabrish.wixsite.com/invasiveantkyoto2018
Purpose and contents
Invasive Ant Conference 2018 was held at KIHADA Hall, Uji Campus, Kyoto University 23rd Jan. 2018, followed by a workshop entitled “Multi-institutional Invasive Ant Management Intervention (MIAMI) Project Consortium Meeting” held in the Satellite Seminar Room 4 on 24th. A total of 9 and 6 speakers were invited to give a smeinar talk for the conference and workshop, respectively. Both events were joined by approximately 110 participants, and all of the participants enjoyed the talks and discussion.
Biological invasions by ants are regarded as one of the main drivers of loss of humanosphere sustainability. The red imported fire ants have been discovered in Japan recently and have raised huge public concerns. In response to the concerns, the Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH) was appointed by Kyoto University to host an international conference on invasive ants, namely “Invasive Ant Conference 2018”, at Uji Campus, Kyoto University 23rd January 2018. A total of 9 speakers (5 international and 4 domestic speakers) were invited and shared their recent research breakthrough and experience on various invasive ants which include red imported fire ant, yellow crazy ant, Argentine ant, Asian needle ant and also big-picture ecology and management of invasive ants. The one-day conference provides an immediate forum to allow scientists, pest control personnel and public to interact with invited speakers, in which the proper knowledge of ant invasions have been delivered accordingly.
Awareness and knowledge regarding an invasive species are a key element for eradication success especially when the invasion is still at the early phase. This workshop will serve as a forum to educate relevant personnel who are being involved in the nationwide fire ant survey in Japan. With proper knowledge of fire ants, the accuracy and efficiency of the survey campaign will be significantly elevated as all the personnel will be highly competent and well-equipped enough to stay alerted on any suspicious case. Also, RISH can be practically involved in coordinating different responsible agencies and also in developing the strategy as rapid response to the fire ant incidents in Japan.
Programme
| 09:00 | Registration |
| 09:30–09:40 | Opening Remarks Dr. Takashi Watanabe (Director and Professor, Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Japan) |
| 09:40–09:50 | Group photo |
| 10:00–10:40 | Keynote speech The role of biogenic amines and neuropeptides in regulating key fire ant worker and sexual activities Dr. Robert Vander Meer (Research Leader, USDA, ARS, USA) |
| 10:40–11:10 | Invited speech 01 Genetic insights into the success of two invasive ants in the U.S. Dr. Edward Vargo (Professor and Endowed Chair, Texas A&M University, USA) |
| 11:10–11:40 | Invited speech 02 Global, regional and local trends in exotic ant species distribution and spread Dr. Benoit Guenard (Assistant Professor, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR) |
| 11:40–12:10 | Invited speech 03 The use of an alginate hydrogel to deliver aqueous bait to manage invasive Argentine ants Dr. Jia-Wei Tay (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, UC Riverside, USA) |
| 12:10–13:20 | Lunch |
| 13:30–14:10 | Invited speech 04 The development of countermeasure for invasive alien ants by NIES Dr. Kouichi Goka (Division Head, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan) |
| 14:10–14:40 | Invited speech 05 Bomb carbon-14 analysis reveals expanded diet breadth associates with the invasion of a predatory ant Dr. Kenji Matsuura (Professor, Kyoto University, Japan) |
| 14:40–15:10 | Tea break |
| 15:10–15:40 | Invited speech 06 Toward the eradication of invasive Argentine ants in urban area — as policy formation “Kyoto model” Mr. Shota Susaki (Nature and Environmental Conservation Division, Kyoto Prefectural Government, Japan) |
| 15:40–16:10 | Invited speech 07 The countermeasure of alien ants in Okinawa: collaboration between OKEON Churamori Project and Okinawa Prefecture Dr. Masashi Yoshimura (Staff Scientist, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan) |
| 16:10–16:40 | Invited speech 08 Invasion of yellow crazy ants and its impact on endemic land crabs in Kenting National Park, Taiwan Dr. Ching-Chen Lee (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan) |
| 16:40–17:00 | Discussion |
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6 February, 2018.
22 December, 2017.
