ARS | Publication request: DEVELOPMENT OF PHEROMONE ENHANCED BAITS AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES

Submitted to: Imported Fire Ants Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: PHEROMONE ENHANCED BAITS. Work is continuing on the enhancement of fire ant baits with attractant pheromones through a CRADA with American Cyanamid. We have already demonstrated that fire ants discover pheromone enhanced baits quicker and that they discover more of the bait particles. Besides single mound treatments we have also demonstrated the effectiveness of the pheromone formulation in large scale broadcast treatments. A formulation with 1/3 less active ingredient gives results equivalent to standard AMDRO. A consequence of all of the above is that there will be less active ingredient for non-target ants to find. Thus, there should be fewer effects on non-target ants. The spinoff from this consequence is that more non-target ants will be available to predate on newly mated fire ant queens. We predict that fire ant reinfestation rates will be slower in areas treated with pheromone enhanced baits then in areas where standard bait was used. We currently have large field tests underway to test this prediction. Other independent tests are being conducted this year to determine the broad applicability of the technology (Vander Meer, et al. Patent Pending).