Laboratory efficacy evaluation of thiamethoxam gel baits (Optigard™) against the black crazy ant, Paratrechina longicornis (Latrielle) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Issue Date

10-2008

Abstract

As a consequence of their foraging activities, household ants are not only nuisance pests but also suspected to be spreading food-borne microorganisms. Their highly social behavior contributes to their persistence even in urban areas and this has always posed great challenges for pest control under domestic conditions. Among recent technologies, the use of gel baits in other countries has shown great promise as a new control approach. Using laboratory colonies, the efficacy of thiamethoxam gel bait (Optigard™) was tested against the black crazy ant [Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille)]. Baits equivalent to 100 ppm were offered to colonies with an initial colony index of at least 12. Orientation, visits, changes in foraging activity, agitation or other similar behavioral responses were monitored at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2, 24, 48 and 72 hours after bait introduction (ABI). Mortalities of brood, workers and queens were also recorded at 24, 48 & 72 hrs ABI. Results show that the black crazy ants were attracted to the gel bait with several foraging workers aggregating at the baits within minutes after introduction. Colony elimination was achieved after a week in the second trial but took two weeks during the first trial. In summary, thiamethoxam gel bait at 100 ppm showed good efficacy against P. longicornis, effectively reducing ant trails and activity, and adversely dropping colony index within a day. Queens, as expected, were the last to die in a colony. In separate preliminary tests, colony elimination appears to be also possible for the yellow-red crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith) and the black ant Dolichoderus tests for these three ant species need to be conducted for their comparative responses to thiamethoxam gel bait.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

22

Issue

2

Page

218-219

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

FORMICIDAE; HYMENOPTERA; THIAMETHOXAM; PEST CONTROL BAITS; BAITS; ATTRACTANTS; PEST CONTROL

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