Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T04:56:44.221Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Aerial baiting to control leaf-cutting ants (Formicidae, Attini) in Trinidad. II. Field application, nest mortality and the effect on other animals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

T. Lewis
T. Lewis
Affiliation:
Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control, Gordon Street, Curepe, Trinidad
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Aircraft were used to apply a bait containing aldrin, soyabean oil and citrus meal against leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) and Atta cephalotes (L.)) in Trinidad. The distribution patterns of bait applied by different aircraft were measured. Plain bait applied at 2.2 kg/ha to an uncultivated island in the dry season destroyed 91% of nests of Acromyrmex, and waterproofed bait applied in the wet season to cultivated land on the mainland destroyed 85%. Small nests of Atta were also destroyed by this treatment but large nests in forest required much heavier dosages applied to the nest itself. Lizards and crabs living in the baited areas were contaminated with aldrin but there was no evidence to show that they were harmed.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 63 , Issue 2 , December 1973 , pp. 275 - 287
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anon. (1970). Fighting the fire ant, toxic side effects from mirex. — Time Mag., N.Y. 96 (40), 32–33.Google Scholar
Baker, M. F. (1963). New fire ant bait. — Highlts. Agric. Res. 10, 16.Google Scholar
Busvine, J. R. (1971). A critical review of the techniques for testing insecticides. 2nd edn. — 345 pp. Farnham Royal, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux.Google Scholar
Edwards, C. A. (1970). Persistent pesticides in the environment. — Crit. Rev. Environ. Control 1, 7–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ehrlich, P. R. & Ehrlich, A. H. (1970). Population, resources, environment: issues in human ecology. — 383 pp. San Francisco, Freeman.Google Scholar
Feliciano, C. (1962). Notes on the biology and economic importance of the land crab, Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille. — Special Contrib. Inst. Mar. Biol. Univ. Puerto Rico, 21 pp.Google Scholar
Jenkins, J. H. (1963). A review of five years research on the effects of the fire ant control program on selected wildlife populations. — Bull. Ga Acad. Sci. 21, 3.Google Scholar
Lewis, T. (1971). Aerial baiting to control ants (bachacs) in Trinidad. — J. agric. Soc. Trin. Tob. 71, 508–518.Google Scholar
Lewis, T. & Phillips, F. T. (1973). Aerial baiting to control leaf-cutting ants (Formicidae, Attini) in Trinidad. I. The bait, its production and the effects of weathering on attractiveness and persistence of toxicants. — Bull. ent. Res. 63, 263–273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lofgren, C. S., Bartlett, F. J., Stringer, C. E. Jr & Banks, W. A. (1964). Imported fire ant toxic bait studies: further tests with granulated mirex soyabean oil bait. — J. econ. Ent. 57, 695–698.CrossRefGoogle Scholar