Toxicity, sublethal effects, and performance of sulfluramid against the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Topical and oral toxicity of sulfluramid (N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide) were determined for the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). The topical LD50 of sulfluramid was 175.6 micrograms/g for adult males, 117.8 micrograms/g for adult females, and 122.3 micrograms/g for gravid adult females. Ingestion increased toxicity approximately 1.4 times for adult male B. germanica. Twenty-four hours after topical treatment with 20 micrograms/insect sulfluramid, the percentage of female cockroaches that dropped their oothecae increased approximately 50% compared with controls treated with acetone. Sulfluramid also decreased oothecal hatch of both dropped and retained oothecae. Approximately 90% of oothecae from untreated females hatches, whereas less than 20% hatched from females treated with 20 micrograms/insect. Mean time for oothecal hatch increased linearly with increasing sulfluramid concentration. In arena studies in Ebeling choice boxes, LT50's ranged between approximately 2.3 and 3.9 d for a 0.331 mg/cm2 deposit and a 1.5% bait, respectively. Higher concentrations of sulfluramid were more repellent in both bait and residual formulations. Performance index values indicated excellent potential field efficacy. Field trials with 1.0 and 1.5% (AI) baits showed up to a 71.3% reduction in cockroach numbers. Baits controlled cockroaches throughout the 12-wk test.     

Toxicity of fipronil to German and American cockroaches

Topical and oral toxicity of fipronil, compared to chlorpyrifos, was determined for the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), and American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.). Fipronil and Combat bait matrices were evaluated for their attractancies to both species. In the topical toxicity tests, LD50's of fipronil, at 72 h after topical application, were 0.03 and 0.02 µg/g for adult B. germanica and P. americana, respectively. Fipronil was significantly more toxic than topically applied chlorpyrifos (LD50's were 0.06 and 0.16 µg/g for B. germanica and P. americana, respectively). The oral toxicity of fipronil and chlorpyrifos in Petri dish experiments, against both species, was affected by stage (for B. germanica), diet concentration, and feeding assay. Fipronil caused higher mortality of B. germanica than chlorpyrifos in two feeding assays (continuous and abbreviated). Both compounds were equally toxic to adult males of P. americana at all rates. Fipronil caused higher nymphal mortality than chlorpyrifos 48–72 h after exposure in both feeding assays. In large population chamber tests, fipronil bait was more effective and faster in killing P. americana than Raid and Combat. LT50's were 0.8, 2.4, and 7.6 d for fipronil, Raid (a.i. = chlorpyrifos), and Combat (a.i. = hydramethylnon) baits, respectively. Mortality reached 96.5, 93.4, and 84.6%, respectively, at the end of the 14 d test. In the bait attractancy tests, both strains of B. germanica were attracted similarly to fipronil and Combat bait matrices. P. americana were attracted more to fipronil than to Combat bait matrix or to other alternative foods.     

Toxicity of several insecticide formulations against adult German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Toxicity of bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, hydramethylnon, malathion, propetamphos, propoxur, and pyrethrins against the adult German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), was investigated. At LD50, cyfluthrin was the most toxic insecticide to adult males (0.53 microgram/g), adult females (1.2 micrograms/g), and gravid females (0.85 microgram/g). Malathion was the least toxic insecticide to adult males (464.83 micrograms/g), adult females (335.83 micrograms/g), and gravid females (275.90 micrograms/g). Males and gravid females were generally more sensitive than nongravid females to the insecticides that we tested. In tests with malathion, however, males were more tolerant. The order of toxicity of the insecticide classes varied among the stages of adult German cockroaches. The order of toxicity for males and nongravid females was pyrethroids greater than pyrethrins = organophosphates (except malathion) greater than carbamates = amidinohydrazone. The order of toxicity for gravid females was pyrethroids greater than pyrethrins = organophosphates (except malathion) greater than carbamates greater than amidinohydrazone. These differences in toxicity suggest that sex differences should be considered when determining insecticide toxicity for German cockroaches.     

Efficacy of chitin synthesis inhibitors on nymphal German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Second- and fifth-instar Blattella germanica (L.), fed the chitin synthesis inhibitors triflumuron, chlorfluazuron, hexafluron, and UC 84572 (structure not disclosed) were examined for mortality and developmental abnormalities. All compounds were active against B. germanica (L.), with lower diet concentrations being required to kill second instars compared with fifth instars. Chlorfluazuron was significantly more active against second and fifth instars (LC50 = 0.000191 and 0.000363% AI, respectively for the second and fifth instars). UC 84572 also killed nymphs at extremely low concentrations (LC50 = 0.000508 and 0.000754% AI, respectively, for second and fifth instars). LC50's for hexafluron and triflumuron against fifth instars were more than 1,000 times higher than that for chlorfluazuron. Sensitive periods of exposure were determined by comparing effects when four different age classes of fifth instars (1-, 4-, 7-, and 10-d old) fed on the compounds for 3 d. Triflumuron was most effective when ingested during the first three age classes and hexafluron was most effective during the last three age classes. Chlorfluazuron and UC 84572 were most effective when ingested during the second age class (days 4-6). Adults surviving exposure during the fifth instar were often deformed and weak; they died at a greater rate than the controls. However, most surviving adults were able to reproduce normally.     

Antigastrolesive, gastric antisecretory, diarrheagenic and mucus-stimulating effects in rats following topically applied rioprostil, a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog

Prostaglandins may have many biological actions including hypotensive and antipeptic ulcer activity. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the primary alcohol prostaglandin E1 analog rioprostil1 prevents ethanol-induced gastric lesions (antigastrolesive activity), inhibits gastric acid secretion (antisecretory activity), or causes diarrhea in rats when administered topically, and to compare these responses to the effect of rioprostil following enteral (oral or intraduodenal) administration. Rioprostil exhibited antigastrolesive activity in rats when administered either orally or when applied topically. The topical antigastrolesive potency of rioprostil against ethanol-induced lesions [ED50 = 3.7 (0.5-12) micrograms/kg] was similar to its oral potency [ED50 = 1.9 (1.7-2.2) micrograms/kg]. In 4 hr pylorus-ligated rats, topically administered rioprostil inhibited total gastric acid output with a potency [ED50 = 5.1 (2.6-24) mg/kg] similar to intraduodenal administration [ED50 = 3.7 (2.8-5.3) mg/kg]. In addition, in these rats rioprostil increased mucin levels and did not cause dermal irritation. Finally, the incidence of diarrhea was lower when rioprostil was applied topically than when given orally with a 16-fold difference in potency between these two routes of administration. These data show that when rioprostil is applied via the skin it has antigastrolesive, gastric antisecretory and mucus stimulatory effects in rats equal to enteral administration, and a diarrheagenic potency lower than following oral administration. This profile suggests that topical administration of rioprostil may be a useful means of delivery for clinical treatment of peptic ulcer disease.     

Comparative activity of fenoxycarb and hydroprene in sterilizing the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Last-instar German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), were treated topically with the juvenoids, fenoxycarb and hydroprene, and observed for reproductive capabilities during adulthood. Hydroprene had a significantly lower SD50 (dose required to sterilize 50% of the cockroaches) for males (39.82 micrograms/g body weight) compared with females (86.64 micrograms/g body weight). In contrast, SD50's of fenoxycarb did not differ significantly between the sexes (18.04 and 13.66 micrograms/g body weight for females and males) and were significantly lower when compared with SD50's of hydroprene. A strong positive relationship between wing twisting (a morphogenetic effect caused by juvenoids) and sterility was observed among cockroaches treated with 100 and 10 micrograms/microliters of each juvenoid. However, only 16% of females displaying twisted wings were sterile when treated with 1 microgram/microliter of hydroprene. Cockroaches treated with 100 micrograms/microliters of hydroprene lived 10-14 wk fewer than control adults and often attempted a sixth (supernumerary) molt.     

Oral toxicity, formulation effects, and field performance of flufenoxuron against the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

Laboratory and field studies on the benzoylphenyl urea (BPU) chitin synthetase inhibitor flufenoxuron (DPX EY-059) showed great potential for its use in suppressing infestations of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). When fed continuously to fifth (last) instars, the LC50 of flufenoxuron was estimated at 0.82 ppm (95% FL, 0.76-0.87 ppm). A rating scale specific for BPU effects was developed and shown to be positively correlated with the insect's exposure to concentration of flufenoxuron. Manipulating the particle size of wettable powder formulations of flufenoxuron significantly altered their activity in contact bioassays. Larger particles (volume mean diameter, 12.2 mu; range, 10-20 mu) were more active. Field trials in multifamily housing with this wettable powder formulation at 0.033 and 0.066% (AI) achieved high level (greater than 80%) population suppression within 8 wk of treatment. The potential for the use of flufenoxuron in B. germanica management programs is discussed.     

Insecticide toxicity, synergism and resistance in the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

The toxicity of synergism of and resistance to insecticides in four strains of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), were investigated. Toxicity of nine insecticides by topical application to the susceptible strain varied greater than 2,000-fold, with deltamethrin (LD50 = 0.004 micrograms per cockroach) and malathion (LD50 = 8.4 micrograms per cockroach) being the most and least toxic, respectively. Resistance to pyrethrins (9.5-fold) in the Kenly strain was unaffected by the synergists piperonyl butoxide (PBO) or S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF), suggesting that the metabolism is not involved in this case. Malathion resistance in the Rutgers strain was suppressible with PBO, implicating oxidative metabolism as a resistance mechanism. The Ectiban-R strain was resistant to all the pyrethroids tested, and cypermethrin resistance was not suppressible with PBO or DEF. These findings support results of previous studies that indicated this train has a kdr-like mechanism. Bendiocarb resistance in both the Kenly and Rutgers strains was partially suppressed by either PBO or DEF, suggesting that oxidative and hydrolytic metabolism are involved in the resistance. Trends between the effects of the synergists on the susceptible versus resistant strains are discussed.     

Perfluorooctane sulfonamide: a structurally novel uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation

The effects of sulfluramide (N-ethylperfluorooctane sulfonamide) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (DESFA) on isolated rabbit renal cortical mitochondria (RCM) were examined. Sulfluramid (1-100 microM) and DESFA (0.5-50 microM) increased state 4 respiration of RCM respiring on pyruvate/malate or succinate in a concentration dependent manner in the absence of a phosphate acceptor. In addition, both sulfluramid and DESFA increased state 4 respiration in the presence of oligomycin, an inhibitor of F0F1-ATPase. The effects of sulfluramid (200 microM), DESFA (100 microM), and the known protonophore and uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) (1 microM), on RCM proton movement were examined directly by monitoring extramitochondrial pH and indirectly by monitoring passive mitochondrial swelling. Immediately upon addition, DESFA and FCCP, but not sulfluramid, dissipated the RCM proton gradient and caused RCM to swell in solutions of NaCl or NH4Cl. These results show that DESFA uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by acting as a protonophore. RCM were shown to metabolize sulfluramid to DESFA which suggests that the increase in state 4 respiration observed with sulfluramid is due to DESFA. DESFA is unique in that it is one of two uncouplers that does not contain a ring structure and thus may be a useful model in the study of oxidative phosphorylation.     

Laboratory and field performance of consumer bait products for German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) control.

Bait formulations containing boric acid, chlorpyrifos, or hydramethylnon were evaluated in field and laboratory experiments against the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). In continuous exposure tests, chlorpyrifos formulations produced 100% mortality in less than 24 h, boric acid formulations had LT50's of approximately 5.5 d, and hydramethylnon had an LT50 of 0.86 d. LT50's estimated in Ebeling choice boxes were 1.6 to 10.8 times greater than those from continuous exposure tests for chlorpyrifos formulations and 2.5 times greater for the hydramethylnon formulation. The same LT50's were produced by choice box and continuous exposure tests for boric acid formulations. Relative repellency, measured as the mean percentage of live cockroaches in the light side of the choice box, was greatest for chlorpyrifos formulations, followed by boric acid formulations, then hydramethylnon. A performance index (PI) that combined choice box repellency and mortality data indicated that hydramethylnon (Combat) had the greatest potential for field effectiveness. Only hydramethylnon significantly reduced German cockroach populations in the field. Apartments treated with the IT WORKS formulation of boric acid bait had significantly greater cockroach trap catches. The PI is an accurate predictor of the field performance of toxic baits for German cockroach control.     

Transfer of ingested insecticides among cockroaches: effects of active ingredient, bait formulation, and assay procedures.

Foraging cockroaches ingest insecticide baits, translocate them, and can cause mortality in untreated cockroaches that contact the foragers or ingest their excretions. Translocation of eight ingested baits by adult male Blattella germanica (L.) was examined in relation to the type of the active ingredient, formulation, and foraging area. Ingested boric acid, chlorpyrifos, fipronil, and hydramethylnon that were excreted by adults in small dishes killed 100% of first instars within 10 d and >50% of second instars within 14 d. Residues from these ingested baits were also highly effective on nymphs in larger arenas and killed 16-100% of the adults. However, when the baits and dead cockroaches were removed from the large arenas and replaced with new cockroaches, only residues of the slow-acting hydramethylnon killed most of the nymphs and adults, whereas residues of fast acting insecticides (chlorpyrifos and fipronil) killed fewer nymphs and adults. Excretions from cockroaches that ingested abamectin baits failed to cause significant mortality in cockroaches that contacted the residues. These results suggest that hydramethylnon is highly effective in these assays because cockroaches that feed on the bait have ample time to return to their shelter and defecate insecticide-laden feces. The relatively high concentration of hydramethylnon in the bait (2.15%) and its apparent stability in the digestive tract and feces probably contribute to the efficacy of hydramethylnon. To control for differences among baits in inert ingredients and the amount of active ingredient, we compared 1% chlorpyrifos with 1% hydramethylnon in identical baits. Again, hydramethylnon residues provided greater secondary kill, but the results highlighted the importance of the inert ingredients. We conclude that, in the absence of cannibalism and necrophagy, translocation of baits and secondary kill are most effective with slow acting insecticides in palatable baits that can traverse the digestive tract and be deposited within and around the cockroach aggregation.     

小地老虎及粘虫幼虫对灭幼脲表现自然耐药力的体壁结构和生化基础

小地老虎Agrotis ypsilon rottem.幼虫对灭幼脲具有一定的自然耐药力。本文以粘虫Mythimna separata(Walker)作为敏感性虫种与之进行比较,实验结果表明,灭幼脲对两种试虫的室内毒力相差4倍左右,引起差异的原因,在体壁结构方面主要在于:(1)小地老虎幼虫的表皮层较粘虫的厚4.2倍左右;(2)上表皮不是匀质结构,依靠少数蜡道与体表沟通;(3)几丁质片层内的孔道数较少,仅及粘虫的1/4。由此构成了表皮对疏水性的灭幼脲表现抗穿透的性能。小地老虎幼虫体壁还含有较强的生化防卫体系,灭幼脲对多功能氧化酶、芳基酰胺酶有明显激活效应,这两种酶都是灭幼脲的降解酶。由此认为,小地老虎幼虫对灭幼脲所表现的自然耐药力,是由体壁的抗穿透性能以及由灭幼脲所激活的适应酶所造成。     

Larval susceptibility of an insecticide-resistant western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) population to soil insecticides: laboratory bioassays, assays of detoxification enzymes, and field performance

Soil insecticides were evaluated in laboratory and field studies against larvae of an insecticide resistant population (Phelps County, NE) of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Insecticide toxicity was evaluated by topical application of technical insecticides to 3rd instars from Saunders County, NE (susceptible) and Phelps County populations. Resistance ratios (LD50 Phelps County/LD50 Saunders County) for the insecticides methyl parathion, tefluthrin, carbofuran, terbufos, and chlorpyrifos were 28.0, 9.3, 8.7, 2.6 and 1.3, respectively. Biochemical investigation of suspected enzymatic resistance mechanisms in 3rd instars identified significant elevation of esterase activity (alpha and beta naphthyl acetate hydrolysis [3.8- and 3.9-fold]). Examination of 3rd instar esterases by native PAGE identified increased intensity of several isoenzymes in the resistant population. Assays of cytochrome P450 activity (4-CNMA demethylation and aldrin epoxidation) did not identify elevated activity in resistant 3rd instars. Granular soil insecticides were applied at planting to corn, Zea mays L., in replicated field trials in 1997 and 1998 at the same Phelps County site as the source of resistant rootworms for the laboratory studies. In 1997, planting time applications of Counter 20CR, Counter 15 G (terbufos), and Lorsban 15 G (chlorpyrifos) resulted in the lowest root injury ratings (1-6 Iowa scale); 2.50, 2.55, 2.65, respectively (untreated check root rating of 4.55). In 1998, all insecticides performed similarly against a lower rootworm density (untreated check root rating of 3.72). These studies suggest that resistance previously documented in adults also is present in 3rd instars, esterases are possibly involved as resistance mechanisms, and resistance to methyl parathion in adults is also evident in larvae, but does not confer cross-resistance in larvae to all organophosphate insecticides.     

Performance of gel and paste bait products for German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) control: laboratory and field studies.

Gel and paste bait formulations containing boric acid or hydramethylnon were evaluated in field and laboratory experiments with the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). Bait formulations contained 14-62% water by weight and lost the most water after 1 d of desiccation. Bait age and water content did not alter the toxicity (LT50) of boric acid-based baits. Toxicity of hydramethylnon (Maxforce) bait, however, increased with bait age. In continuous exposure tests without harborage, boric acid formulations had LT50s of 8.5 and 10.1 d for Blue Diamond and IT WORKS, respectively. Maxforce bait had an LT50 of 4.2 d. LT50s determined with cardboard harborage or in Ebeling choice boxes were 1.5 to 2.2 times lower than those from continuous exposure tests without harborage. Relative repellency, measured as the mean percent of live cockroaches in the light side of the choice box, was greatest for IT WORKS (21.4%) and Maxforce (25.4%) formulations, followed by Blue Diamond (10.9%). A performance index that combined choice box repellency and mortality data indicated that Maxforce had the greatest potential for field effectiveness. Blue Diamond and Maxforce significantly reduced German cockroach populations in the field. Maxforce performed best in field trials when applied at 10 or 20 placements per apartment. Apartments treated with IT WORKS had significantly greater cockroach trap catches. Factors that may affect the predictive power of the performance index are discussed.     

Evaluation of three methods for detecting permethrin resistance in adult and nymphal Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

The insecticide resistance status of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), against permethrin was evaluated with three different bioassay methods. The LT50 and KT50 in adults were measured by glass jar test, the LT50 and KT50 in nymphs were assessed by glass petri dish-test, and the LD50 in adults and nymphs was measured by topical application. The results indicate that in all three bioassays, cockroaches showed different degrees of resistance to permethrin. Resistance ratios of 6.7-, 12.8-, and 7.5-fold for KT50, LD50, and LT50, respectively, were obtained for adult cockroaches compared with those from a susceptible strain. Similarly, resistance ratio values of 17-fold for KT50, 8-fold for LD50, and 6.4-fold for LT50 were obtained for nymphs compared with those from a susceptible strain. Although both adults and nymphs exhibited a similar level of susceptibility to permethrin, adults showed a higher degree of susceptibility to topical application than to the other exposure method. The order of sensitivity (based on resistance ratio values) was topical application (LD50) > LT50 > KT50 in adults. For nymphs, the resistance ratio in the knockdown test was higher than in other tests (resistance ratio = 17-fold). Therefore, the order of test sensitivity based on comparisons of resistance ratio values was KT50 > topical application (LD50) > LT50 in nymphs. Topical application exhibited a higher sensitivity than the LT and KT methods in adults. Thus, the results suggest that topical application and knockdown testing methods are the most sensitive assays for measuring resistance of adult and nymphal German cockroaches, respectively, to permethrin.     

Effects of several insecticide formulations on oothecal drop and hatchability in German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Formulations used for control of German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), were investigated. The insecticides tested on gravid females were bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, hydramethylnon, malathion, propetamphos, propoxur, and pyrethrins. Exposure to each insecticide increased the frequency of oothecal drop and reduced the percentage oothecal hatch. The percentage of oothecae that were dropped increased as a curvilinear function of insecticide concentration. An LD50 of propoxur to female German cockroaches resulted in the greatest oothecal drop (83.50%); fenvalerate caused the least drop (22.60%). LD50's of cypermethrin, propetamphos, and propoxur resulted in 29.60, 31.807, and 37.30% hatch from dropped oothecae, respectively. The smallest percentage hatch from retained oothecae was caused by LD50's of propoxur (1.5%) and cyfluthrin (7.70%). Retained oothecae from females treated with an LD50 of fenvalerate (68.70%) or pyrethrins (68.70%) had the greatest percentage hatch. Total percentage hatch (dropped and retained oothecae) declined exponentially as the insecticide concentration increased. An LD50 of cypermethrin limited total oothecal hatch to 24.50%, whereas LD50's of fenvalerate, malathion, and pyrethrins resulted in 53.60, 52.20, and 58.90% hatch, respectively. Mean time to oothecal hatch increased linearly with increasing insecticide concentration for all insecticides tested.     

Secondary transmission of toxic baits in German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

The death rates of three toxic gel baits (fipronil bait, 0.05%; hydramethylnon, bait 2.15%; and abamectin B1 bait, 0.05%) were estimated in Blattella germanica (L.). After ingestion, all three baits killed similar proportions of cockroaches, but they died more rapidly after ingestion of fipronil bait than after ingestion of abamectin B1 bait or of hydramethylnon bait. Laboratory experiments evaluated the impact of secondary transmission of fipronil bait and hydramethylnon bait. Mortality rates caused by secondary transmission were higher for fipronil bait than for hydramethylnon bait. Under controlled laboratory conditions, secondary transmission occurred mainly through direct contact with, or ingestion of, traces of baits dispersed in the environment by contaminated cockroaches. These traces were either deposited by "trampling" in the environment or on dead contaminated cockroaches. Social interactions and cannibalism played a minor role in secondary transmission of these two baits.     

Effect of tinopal LPW on the insecticidal properties and genetic stability of the nucleopolyhedrovirus of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The influence of an optical brightener, Tinopal LPW, on the activity of a purified genotype of the nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), was determined in second to fifth instar (L2-L5) S. exigua. When mixed with viral occlusion bodies (OB) 1% Tinopal LPW significantly reduced the median lethal dose (LD50) of the virus in all instars compared with insects treated with SeMNPV alone. Levels of enhancement, as determined by LD50 values, ranged from 2.6- to 580-fold, depending on the instar. The greatest enhancement occurred on the two later instars, L4 (70-fold) and L5 (580-fold), which show a much higher resistance to SeMNPV infection than earlier instars. The median time to death (MTD) values were not significantly different in any instar among larvae treated with SeMNPV + Tinopal LPW and those treated with SeMNPV alone. Larval development in SeMNPV + Tinopal LPW treated larvae was retarded, in second and fourth instars, compared with controls or larvae treated with SeMNPV alone. The OB yields from SeMNPV treated larvae were almost 1.6-fold greater in second instars (9.3 x 10(6) OBs/larvae), and 1.9-fold greater in fourth instars (1.9 x 10(8) OBs/larvae), than those obtained in larvae treated with SeMNPV + Tinopal LPW. The addition of 1% Tinopal LPW to the virus suspension did not alter the genotypic composition of viral progeny during four successive passages of the virus.     

Method of insecticide delivery affects horizontal transfer of fipronil in the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

Horizontal transmission of insecticide occurs when foragers contact or ingest an insecticide, return to the aggregation or nest, and translocate the insecticide to the shelter and its vicinity. Relatively more sedentary members of the population then contact or eat the translocated insecticide and die. We evaluated three different methods of delivering fipronil to adult male German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), for their potential to cause such secondary mortality in various developmental stages of the cockroach. Adult males topically treated with 5 ng of fipronil (approximately LD99) caused low mortality in untreated nymphs and no mortality in untreated adults within the same aggregation. Males exposed to residual fipronil on a glass surface translocated more insecticide, resulting in higher mortality of cockroaches they contacted, but only early instars were affected and no adult mortality was observed. Ingested fipronil bait, however, was most effectively translocated, and caused high mortality of untreated adults and nymphs. Ingestion of fipronil also caused greater secondary kill compared with a topical application of 25 ng, approximately the same amount recovered from the exterior of males that ingested 1 mg of 0.05% fipronil bait. Secondary mortality in the untreated population was significantly affected by the duration of contact between the treated and untreated cockroaches, the quantity and freshness of excretions from the treated insects, and the accessibility of the secretions to untreated cockroaches. The mechanisms that cause secondary kill may include ingestion of excreted fipronil residues, cannibalism of bait-fed cockroaches, as well as contact with fipronil-contaminated substrates.     

Virulence, horizontal transmission, and sublethal reproductive effects of Metarhizium anisopliae (Anamorphic fungi) on the German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

Virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin strain EAMa 01/121-Su against the German Cockroach, Blatella germanica (L.), was determined using four concentrations ranging from 4.2 x 10(6) to 4.2 x 10(9) spores per milliliter. The LD50 value was 1.4 x 10(7) spores per milliliter (56,000 spores per cockroach) and LT50 values were 14.8 days and 5.3 days for 4.2 x 10(8) and 4.2 x 10(9) spores per milliliter, respectively. An experiment was conducted to evaluate whether a fungal transmission could exist among infected and healthy cockroaches. Percentage mortality at a ratio of 1:10 of infected to unexposed cockroaches was 87.5% and LT50 was 12.2 days, which indicated the potential of this strain to be horizontally transmitted and to rapidly spread the infection in the insect population. The effect of a sublethal dose (ca. LD60) of M. anisopliae EAMa 01/121-Su strain, applied topically on German cockroaches, was studied by reciprocal crossing. Othecal production, oothecal hatchability, and nymphal production declined upon exposure to M. anisopliae EAMa 01/121-Su strain. The mean number of oothecae laid by female was progressively and significantly reduced by fungal treatment from second oviposition period onwards. Oothecal hatch of fungally challenged females was reduced by 46-49%, oothecal viability by 48-85%, and nymphal production by 22-35%. Only treated females showed an effect on oothecal production, oothecal hatch, and nymphal production, although oothecal hatch was also governed by treated males at a higher significance level. Our results on virulence and horizontal transmission of fungal conidia of M. anisopliae EAMa 01/121-Su strain and its sublethal reproductive effects on German cockroach females are discussed in terms of its potential to decrease the pest status of B. germanica in the short and long terms.