Abstract: Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a toxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated toxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in any of SEQ ID NO: 22 to 42, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 1 to 21, as well as variants and fragments thereof.

Abstract: A bait composition for the control of fire ants based on fact that an ant pyrazine attractant contained therein will attract foraging fire ants and the fire ants will be stimulated by the phagostimulant to eat the bait and distribute active ingredients also contained therein throughout the colony. Furthermore, the bait composition can be used directly or modified as a surveillance composition for monitoring and detecting fire ants based on the fact that a pyrazine attractant contained therein will attract foraging fire ants to a trap containing a fast acting, non-repellent insecticide that keeps attracted workers in the trap as a measure of fire ant presence.