Research Article

Toxicity, horizontal transfer, and physiological and behavioral effects of cycloxaprid against Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Published: 2022-6

Journal: Pest Management Science

DOI: 10.1002/ps.6847

Abstract

## BACKGROUND: The red imported fire ant,Solenopsis invictaBuren, is a significant urban, agricultural, and medical pest with a wide distribution in the world. Surface or mound treatment using contact insecticide is one of the main methods to controlS. invicta. In the present study, cycloxaprid, a newly discovered neonicotinoid insecticide, was evaluated forS. invictacontrol and compared with two referent insecticides, imidacloprid and bifenthrin. ## RESULTS: Surfaces or sand treated with cycloxaprid, imidacloprid, or bifenthrin caused high mortality ofS. invictaworkers, and the action of cycloxaprid or imidacloprid was slower than bifenthrin. Like imidacloprid and bifenthrin, cycloxaprid can be horizontally transferred from corpses or live donor ants to recipient ants. In addition, cycloxaprid‐ or imidacloprid‐treated surfaces significantly induced the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and detoxification enzymes; nevertheless, they had no significant effect on the foraging behaviors ofS. invictaworkers. Also, sand treated with cycloxaprid or imidacloprid did not negatively affect the digging activities of ants. Interestingly,S. invictaworkers excavated significantly more sand containing 0.01 mg/kg cycloxaprid than untreated sand in the no‐choice digging bioassays. In addition, extensive nesting activities (sand excavation and stacking) were observed in the flowerpots containing untreated sand or sand treated with cycloxaprid or imidacloprid. On the contrary, bifenthrin significantly reduced the foraging, digging, and nesting activities ofS. invictaworkers. ## CONCLUSION: Cycloxaprid is a slow‐acting and nonrepellent insecticide againstS. invictaworkers, and its contact and horizontal toxicities are slightly higher than imidacloprid. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Faculty Members

  • Lang Zhang - Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovation Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
  • Jiacheng Cai - Department of Mathematical Science Salisbury University Salisbury MD USA
  • Xuan Chen - Department of Biology Salisbury University Salisbury MD USA
  • Jian Chen - Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service US Department of Agriculture Stoneville MS USA
  • Yinghao He - Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovation Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
  • Yongyue Lu - College of Plant Protection South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
  • Lei Wang - College of Plant Protection South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
  • Cai Wang - Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovation Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
  • Jianlong Zhang - Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovation Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
  • Xiujun Wen - Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovation Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
  • Zhiping Xu - Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, School of Pharmacy East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China

Themes

  • Environmental impact of insecticides
  • Ant behavior and activity
  • Pest control strategies
  • Comparative analysis of insecticides
  • Insecticide efficacy

Categories

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