Abstract:  The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a primary invasive pest in China. Currently, scientific researches, control strategies and policy regulations regarding S. invicta mainly focus on the filed of agriculture in China. Although S. invicta is also widely distributed in forests, grasslands, wetlands and urban green spaces and has caused huge damage, the occurrence characteristics and control strategies of S. invicta in these areas are largely overlooked. The occurence of S. invicta is closely associated with human disturbances such as felling, burning and soil turning, and natural factors such as biodiversity, forest canopy density and soil bareness. Due to the low levels of biological diversity and forest canopy density and high levels of human disturbances, there is a high risk of S. invicta invasion in plantation forests and adjacent areas. In natural forests, S. invicta is usually distributed in forest edges and windows, as well as burned areas where the sunlight can directly irradiate. Moreover, nurseries and urban green spaces have a high risk of S. invicta invasion because of large areas of bare soil and high levels of human activities. In areas with high levels of human activities, including plantation forests, nurseries and urban green spaces, S. invicta mainly threatens human health and infrastructure, and directly or indirectly damages trees. In addition, the invasion of S. invicta significantly decreases the abundance and diversity of arthropods in habitats and poses significant threats to wildlife in natural reserves and wetlands. Although it has been reported that S. invicta contributes to promoting seed migration and enhancing soil nutrient circulation under certain conditions, its harmful impacts far exceed its potential beneficial effects. Quarantine, monitoring and control are three important aspects to prevent S. invicta invasion in forestry. Wood, seedlings with soil, and turf are the main objects that may carry S. invicta and need to be quarantined, and fumigation can effectively eliminate S. invicta. Baiting and trapping are the main methods to monitor S. invicta. Recently, some new technologies, including remote sensing and radar technology, also have been developed to monitor S. invicta in grasslands and urban green spaces. Although chemical control is the most predominant control strategy for S. invicta, the use of highly toxic, broad spectrum and hardly degradable insecticides may negatively affect non-target organisms in natural reserves and wetlands. Therefore, it is essential to develop environmentally friendly agents and methods to control S. invicta.

Key words: Solenopsis invicta, forest, occurrence characteristics, harm, integrated control