Evaluation Of Ant Baits For Control Of Pheidole Megacephala (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) On Lord Howe Island, Australia

Abstract:
Lord Howe Island is a small sub-tropical island off the east coast of Australia. African bigheaded ant Pheidole megacephala (F.) was discovered on the island in 2003 and been subject to ongoing attempts at eradication resulting from concerns over its impact on native biota. In 2006-2007 a trial was conducted to evaluate various commercial and experimental ant baits, including AmdroTM Granular Ant bait (hydramethylnon) and Distance® Plus Ant Bait (pyriproxyfen), for the control of P. megacephala on Lord Howe Island. Pyriproxyfen eliminated P. megacephala within 33 weeks, as did a combined pyriproxyfen/ hydramethylnon experimental bait, whereas formulations containing hydramethylnon alone reduced numbers to low levels but did not entirely eliminate P. megacephala from those blocks. Abundance of P. megacephala in blocks treated with Hydramethylnon-based baits returned to normal by 91 weeks after treatment whereas abundance remained low in the block treated with pyriproxyfen.