FOOD BAIT PREFERENCE IN GERMAN COCKROACH, BLATTELLA GERMANICA (L.) (DICTYOPTERA: BLATTELLIDAE)

Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate food bait preference in Blattella germanica (L.) cockroaches in relation to age and to compare their feeding preferences in several choice situations. Food choice presents two components: attractiveness measured by food type eaten first and feeding stimulation measured by mean duration of feeding on a food source. Comparisons between attractiveness of the food baits tested revealed that fipronil gel was more attractive than hydramethylnon, abamectin B1 gel or boric acid. Hydramethylnon gel had higher feeding stimulation potential than fipronil gel and fipronil gel was higher than boric acid. The feeding stimulation potentials of fipronil gel and abamectin B1 gel were similar. Age influenced feeding preference: small and medium-sized larvae preferred bread and chose bread first more often than fipronil gel whereas large larvae and non-gravid females showed no first choice preference but fed on fipronil gel for longer than on bread.