Quantifying Efficacy and Avoidance Behavior by Tawny Mole Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae: Scapteriscus vicinus) to Three Synthetic Insecticides
Abstract
Mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) are among the most economically important turfgrass insect pests in the southeastern United States. The tawny mole cricket Scapteriscus vicinus (Scudder) causes damage by feeding on the roots and shoots of turfgrass and by creating surface tunnels. Previous research on mole cricket control showed behavior modification, including reduced surface tunneling and avoidance of the treated soil, when a control agent was applied. The objectives of these studies were: a) to determine the mortality of 3 synthetic insecticides and their residues against small and large mole cricket nymphs in 2 bioassays and b) to monitor mole cricket behavioral responses to these insecticides. We used 3 synthetic insecticides (bifenthrin, chlorantraniliprole, and fipronil) to conduct 2 mortality bioassays and 2 behavioral studies, where we quantified surface tunneling, to determine the scope of this modified behavior. We found that, in general, the greater the efficacy of the product to mole crickets, the greater the likelihood of reduced surface tunneling and avoidance of the treated area. These studies confirm that mole crickets avoid an area treated with insecticide and emphasize the importance of appropriate timing of insecticides to achieve effective control of mole crickets.Los grillotopos (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) se encuentran entre las plagas de insectos del césped de mayor importancia económica para el sureste de Estados Unidos. El grillotopo leonado, Scapteriscus vicinus (Scudder), causa daño al alimentarse de las raíces y los brotes de césped y por la creación de túneles en la superficie. En una investigación anterior sobre el control de grillotopos, se observó la modificación de conducta, incluyendo la reducción de túneles en la superficie y el evitar el suelo tratado, donde un agente de control fue aplicado. Utilizamos tres insecticidas sintéticos para realizar dos bioensayos y dos estudios de comportamiento para determinar el alcance de este comportamiento modificado. Hemos encontrado que, en general, cuanto mayor es la toxicidad aguda del producto a los grillotopos, mayor será la probabilidad de la repelencia y reducción de túneles en la superficie. Estos estudios confirman que los grillotopos evitan un área tratada con insecticida y hace hincapié en la importancia de la aplicación de insecticidas en un tiempo apropiado para lograr un control eficaz de los grillotopos.
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