The red imported fire ant (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta), an exotic species, detected in Taiwan in 2003 was originally from USA. A program was launched immediately under Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Council of Agriculture (BAPHIQ) in 2004 for RIFA management. The National Red Imported Fire Ant Control Center (NRIFACC) helps the BAPHIQ to integrate/coordinate the RIFA eradication program which involves every governmental department, however the actual implementation of prevention and control work is the local government. It has made a significant progress in public education, since our general public can recognize RIFA accurately now and succeed to localize RIFA in Northern Taiwan. However, nationwide RIFA eradication is still far from success, the major constraints of the eradication program in Taiwan include (1) RIFA had likely been in Taiwan longer than reported, (2) difficulty to detect incipient infestation, (3) mass reproductive queens that can spread over 10-20 km after nuptial flight, (4) movement control is not easy to perform, (5) man power or company for chemical treatment is not enough, (6) funding is insufficient to allow success, (7) meteorological condition disfavors the control practice. Fortunately, we have developed humidity resistant baits that could enhance the control efficiency of RIFA in humid or wet conditions and resolve the weather constraints of RIFA and other invasive ants control in wet tropical and subtropical habitats. For the success of NRIFACC eradication efforts, participation of all stakeholders would remain a very important strategy in the future. In particular, a centralized team would further facilitate the management of RIFA. Moreover, due to the increasing in international trades and the recent detection of RIFA in Japan and Korea, an international efforts and cooperation on RIFA management is a key issue to control global movements of RIFA.

• Rong-Nan Huang(Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University)