07/12/2026

Fang-Ling Liu, Texas A&M University – Austin Frishman Scholarship Recipient

"My research goal is to develop improved control strategies by understanding how viral infections influence fire ant behavior and bait performance."

For many pest management professionals, baiting is one of the most effective tools for controlling red imported fire ants. Fang-Ling "Chloe" Liu is working to better understand why those treatments don't always perform as expected.

As a Ph.D. candidate at Texas A&M University, Chloe studies how naturally occurring viruses influence fire ant behavior. Her research has shown that infected colonies often forage less actively, making them less likely to consume bait and reducing treatment effectiveness. She has also identified how viruses may spread between colonies, providing new insight into the health and behavior of invasive fire ant populations.

Building on these discoveries, Chloe is now evaluating bait additives designed to encourage greater foraging activity, with the goal of improving bait performance under real-world conditions. Her work aims to provide pest management professionals with more reliable and effective tools for controlling fire ants while advancing sustainable management practices.

By combining research on insect behavior, disease ecology, and bait performance, Chloe hopes to develop practical solutions that help the pest management industry achieve more consistent and successful fire ant control.