Effect of insect growth regulators on two german cockroach strains and pharaoh ants

Abstract

When eating poisoned baits based on 0.1–1.0 % pyriproxyfen, within 6 weeks killed up to 50 % of German cockroaches of the S-NIID strain, and 12 % of cockroaches of the OBN strain. The resulting oothecae turned out to be defective and the second generation of cockroaches did not hatch. Morphological changes consisted were in the deformation of the wings (rudimentary, curved, twisted) and in the inability of the larvae to transform into adults. In experiments with an alternative food, similar results were obtained, females formed more oothecae, but the emergence of new generation larvae was not recorded. The consumption of pyriproxyfen-based baits by Pharaoh ant led to the elimination of colonies. A significant decrease in brood number was recorded at 3–6 weeks, and complete death of brood was observed at 6–8 weeks in all treated colonies. The absence of brood can be explained by both mortality as a result of developmental disorders and the cessation of egg laying by queens. Keywords: insect growth regulators, German cockroach, Pharaoh ant, pyriproxifen, hydroprene.