How to translate text using browser tools
1 August 2002 Field Applications of Bait-Formulated Beauveria bassiana Alginate Pellets for Biological Control of the Red Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Blake R. Bextine, Harlan G. Thorvilson
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, is an important pest in the southern United States, in part because few natural enemies exist. Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that holds great promise as a biological control agent against S. invicta. In previous studies, B. bassiana was effective in laboratory trials, but field applications were less effective. In the current study, we compared the efficacy of different application methods of B. bassiana mycelia encapsulated in alginate pellets against S. invicta in heavily infested areas. Direct insertion of pellets into S. invicta mounds caused some reduction in activity rating. However, observations of ants removing pellets from mounds shortly after insertion led to the development of a bait system to encourage pellet retention in the mounds. Broadcast applications and individual mound treatments of B. bassiana alginate pellets coated with peanut oil reduced activity ratings of S. invicta populations.

Blake R. Bextine and Harlan G. Thorvilson "Field Applications of Bait-Formulated Beauveria bassiana Alginate Pellets for Biological Control of the Red Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)," Environmental Entomology 31(4), 746-752, (1 August 2002). https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225X-31.4.746
Received: 17 September 2001; Accepted: 1 March 2002; Published: 1 August 2002
JOURNAL ARTICLE
7 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Beauveria bassiana
entomopathogenic fungi
microbial control
red imported fire ant
Solenopsis invicta
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top