Fire ants on sea turtle nesting beaches in South Florida, USA, and ST. Croix, USVI

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a South American native
introduced in Alabama in the early 20th century. This predatory species has rapidly
spread throughout the southeastern US and parts of the West Indies, inflicting great
ecological and economic damage. For example, Solenopsis invicta is known to attack the
eggs and hatchlings of ground nesting birds and reptiles. The ants swarm into the nests
attacking hatchlings and diminishing their chance for survival. My thesis research aimed
to survey the distribution of ants on sea turtle nesting beaches in South Florida and St.
Croix, USVI, and to evaluate the possible threat of Solenopsis invicta and other predatory
ants to sea turtle hatchlings.