The Improvement of Methods for Detection and Monitoring Survey of Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren
Date Issued
2007
Date
2007
Author(s)
Bao, Shi-Zhe
DOI
zh-TW
Abstract
Abstract
The red imported fire ants (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren, was discovered in Taiwan in October, 2003. In order to execute the eradication program on this invasive species, National Red Imported Fire Ant Control Center (NRIFACC) was established in November, 2004. The key point leading to a successful eradication program strongly relies on the detection and monitoring survey of RIFA that could tell us much useful information, such as distribution of RIFA, how large the infestation area is, and how successful the eradication program is. In addition, Taiwan’s weather condition is warm, humid and raining that is suitable for RIFA development, but not suitable for bait broadcasting and monitoring. That is why this study wanted to improve the sampling methods used by NRIFACC. Therefore, we attempted to improve sampling methods according to RIFAs’ foraging behavior and diet components. Because of the huge range of infested area in Taiwan, investigating of detection and monitoring needs fast and effective tools to avoid the wasting of labor and time. This study was decided to improve the bait trap and pitfall trap for detection and long term monitoring programs separately according to literature review. For detection, this study designed the equipment such as a round container coated with Fluon® for bait preference experiments. It contains the basic sifting of baits, duration of observation, influence of trace pheromone and directions, and test of baits preference. A total of 11 baits used to monitor RIFA in the previous studies were tested in the laboratory condition, and potato chips that was used for bait stations by NRIFACC were adapted as the control. The three most preferred baits in the laboratory conditions were hotdog, shrimp cookie, and potato chip. These three baits were tested in the field conditions, and then the data was analyzed. The results showed non-significant difference (F = 0.66, df = 2, P = 0.5209) among them. In addition, the three most preferred baits in field conditions were shrimp cookie, hotdog, and potato chip based on the numbers of RIFA foragers attracted in the bait stations. Based on the first two hours observations, hotdog expressed better attractiveness to foragers than the remaining two attractants. The most possible reason might be that hotdog began to dry and lost its efficacy from the third hour in the field conditions. For long term monitoring, new pitfall trap (B-Trap) which incorporate hotdog into pitfall trap was designed to compare with the other one (A-Trap) used in NRIFACC. B-Trap baited with hotdog attracted more RIFA foragers than A-Trap did. There were several advantages of B-trap such as prevents rain, easy to operate, and more reliable than A-Trap. Based on those findings, B-trap could be replaced to the common pitfall trap for long term monitoring. To improve the monitoring efficacy of bait station by applying insecticides, the repellent and knockdown dose of insecticides also were determined. Six insecticides were tested at least 5 concentrations separately. Cyhalothrin diluted with deionized water for 250 - 4000 times did not repel the RIFA and could knock down the fire ant. Therefore, it could be applied for monitoring purposes.
Key words: Solenopsis invicta, Detection, Monitoring, Bait trap, Pitfall trap
Subjects
入侵紅火蟻
偵察
監測
餌站
掉落式陷阱
Solenopsis invicta
Detection
Monitoring
Bait trap
Pitfall trap
Type
thesis
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