Ongoing Projects

Drone Management Project

This project aims to eradicate little fire ants in the Cotal Conservation Area using aerial drone technology. LFA is an arboreal (lives in the trees) species and the >70ft. acacia trees that comprise the bulk of the conservation forest provide a unique techincal challenge. We utilize the DJI Agras MG-1P to disseminate EPA regulated pesticides into the forest canopy. This has proved effective in reaching inaccessible areas due to rough terrain and tree heights. This ongoing effort is a long-term project that requires constant maintenance and cooperation with the community and other partners. A unified effort is the only way we will stand a chance at eradication.

LFA Presence: 2018

This map from Dr. Ross Miller’s group at the University of Guam shows the presence of Little Fire Ants within the Cotal Conservation Area in 2018. Red dots indicate postive for LFA infestation, while green dots indicate negtive for LFA infestation.

LFA Presence: 2019

This map produced by Jessi Hannah Mendiola from the Department of Agriculture, Biosecurity Division, shows the presence of Little Fire Ants within the Cotal Conservation Area from January 2019-December 2019. Red dots indicate positive for LFA infestation, while blue dots indicate negative for LFA infestation.

LFA Presence: 2020

This map produced by Jessi Hannah Mendiola from the Department of Agriculture, Biosecurity Division, shows the presence of Little Fire Ants within the Cotal Conservation Area from January 2020-December 2020. Red dots indicate positive for LFA infestation, while blue dots indicate negative for LFA infestation.

LFA Presence: 2021

This map produced by Jessi Hannah Mendiola from the Department of Agriculture, Biosecurity Division, shows the presence of Little Fire Ants within the Cotal Conservation Area from January 2021-April 2021. Red dots indicate positive for LFA infestation, while blue dots indicate negative for LFA infestation.

Drone Pilots Flying High!

Pictured are (left to right) Ashley Toves, Tristen Lizama, and Jessi Hannah Mendiola operating the DJI MG-1P, an agricultural UAV capable of carrying a 10L payload of gel matrix to dispense into the tree canopy.

cOMMUNITY OUTREACH

This project aims to spread community awareness about invasive species on Guam. Through the digital media platform, we hope to advertise the videos we have created about invasive species so that the island can understand how detrimental invasive’s can be to our ecosystem, economy, and culture, and work together to not only reduce the numbers present on the island, but to also lower the risk of them entering our island. 

tREE PLOTTER

Progress of LFA infestation throughout Guam can be found on Tree Plotter .
This public database is maintained by DOAG-Biosecurity.
https://pg-cloud.com/Guam/?scenario=Little-Fire-Ant.

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