Palatability of Baits Containing (S)-Methoprene to Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Wasmannia auropunctata Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), little fire ant, is recognized as a serious pest ant species that affects agriculture, homes, gardens, and natural ecosystems in Hawaii, USA, and elsewhere. Anecdotal evidence suggests that insecticidal baits containing (S)-methoprene are not e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Florida entomologist 2015-06, Vol.98 (2), p.451-455
Main Authors: Montgomery, Michelle P, Vanderwoude, Cas, Lynch, A. Jasmyn J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
active ingredients
adyuvantes de proteínas
Ants
baits
Candida utilis
Cryptococcus
ecosystems
Entomology
Fire ants
Formicidae
gardens
Gels
hormiga de fuego pequeña
Hymenoptera
Infestation
Insect colonies
Insect pests
little fire ant
palatability
Pests
protein adjuvant
reclutamiento
recruitment
RESEARCH PAPERS
Saccharomycetaceae
Tango
Torula
Wasmannia auropunctata
Yeasts
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Summary:Wasmannia auropunctata Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), little fire ant, is recognized as a serious pest ant species that affects agriculture, homes, gardens, and natural ecosystems in Hawaii, USA, and elsewhere. Anecdotal evidence suggests that insecticidal baits containing (S)-methoprene are not effective against this species. We examined whether W. auropunctata is repelled by bait formulations containing this compound and whether the addition of torula yeast (Candida utilis Lodder; Saccharomycetales: Saccharomycetaceae) increased palatability of these baits. Wasmannia auropunctata was found to be repelled by (S)-methoprene concentrations as low as 0.25% regardless of formulation. The addition of torula yeast (3% by weight) significantly increased worker recruitment to baits with and without (S)-methoprene. Our results indicate bait formulations using (S)-methoprene are likely to offer poor efficacy against Wasmannia auropunctata without the addition of a feeding stimulant such as torula yeast due to repellency of the active ingredient
ISSN:0015-4040
1938-5102
DOI:10.1653/024.098.0210