Evaluation of Liquid and Bait Insecticides against the Dark Rover Ant (Brachymyrmex patagonicus)

Abstract

Dark rover ants (Brachymyrmex patagonicus, Mayr) are an exotic ant species native to South America that has recently spread through the southern US. We evaluated the residual activity of three liquid insecticides (indoxacarb, fipronil and lambda-cyhalothrin) as potential barrier treatments against these ants. The factors we considered include the use of a porous or non-porous surface, a short or long exposure time and the changes in insecticide activity after treatment during a 90 day period. We also tested the effect of baits containing three different active ingredients (imidacloprid, sodium tetraborate and indoxacarb) on colony fragments of this species for a 15 day period. Both lambda-cyhalothrin® and indoxacarb® resulted in high levels of ant mortality up to 90 days after application. The results of exposure to fipronil® resembled those from the control treatment. Application of insecticides on a porous surface and the shorter exposure time generally resulted in greater ant survival. Of the baits tested, only the imidacloprid based one decreased ant survival significantly during the evaluation period. Within three days, the imidacloprid bait produced over 50% mortality which increased to over 95% by the end of the experiment. Results from the other two bait treatments were not significantly different from the control.

Natural insecticides for the control of urticating ant, Tetramorium aculeatum Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a coffee plantation of Southwestern Ethiopia

“…(2003) found that spraying insecticides in citrus, guava and mango tree plantations eliminated the dominant arboreal ant. Miguelena and Baker (2014) stated that it is vital to consider the residual activity of insecticides observed in the indoor experiment, which may not be the same if applied outdoors. Most likely, the insecticides lose their efficacy faster.…”

“…Most likely, the insecticides lose their efficacy faster. According to Miguelena and Baker (2014) , ant mortality using insecticides treatment is important. It opens the possibility for the transfer of the insecticide from exposed to unexposed ants via contacts through social interactions.…”

Assessing colony elimination in multicolonial ants: Estimating field efficacy of insecticidal baits against the invasive dark rover ant (Brachymyrmex patagonicus)

“…Laboratory evidence suggests that several common active ingredients have reduced efficacy against dark rover ants 44,55 . However, baits containing imidacloprid are highly effective against this species, 55 thus the colonies that persisted around the treatment structures may not have acquired the bait. Many of the rover ant colonies were found in the same general area after 28 days (Fig.…”

Evaluation of Toxicity Effect of different Insecticides against Camponotus Compressus.

“…19 Indoxacarb and lambda-cyhalothrin were found effective against rover antsas potential barrier treatment, 20 while quinalphos and imidacloprid are used against planthoppers. 21 Moreover, farmers also apply different insecticides at indiscriminate rates and frequencies to overcome pest problems, leading to pest resurgence and destruction of natural enemies. [22][23] Ants are caught and dragged away from the predators from aphids in the field and disturb the biological control.…”