Effects of a juvenile hormone analogue pyriproxyfen on monogynous and polygynous colonies of the Pharaoh ant Monomorium pharaonis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

摘要

To evaluate the effects of the juvenile hormone analogue pyriproxyfen on coloniesof the Pharaoh ant Monomorium pharaonis (L.), peanut oil containing different concentrations(0.3, 0.6, or 0.9%) of pyriproxyfen was fed to monogynous (1 queen, 500 workers, and 0.1 g ofbrood) and polygynous (8 queens, 50 workers, and 0.1 g of brood) laboratory colonies of M.pharaonis. Due to its delayed activity, pyriproxyfen at all concentrations resulted in colonyelimination. Significant reductions in brood volume were recorded at weeks 3 – 6, andcomplete brood mortality was observed at week 8 in all treated colonies. Brood mortality wasattributed to the disruption of brood development and cessation of egg production by queens.All polygynous colonies exhibited significant reduction in the number of queens present atweek 10 compared to week 1. Number of workers was significantly lower in all treatedcolonies compared to control colonies at week 8 due to old-age attrition of the workerswithout replacement. At least 98.67 ± 1.33% of workers were dead at week 10 in all treatedcolonies. Thus, treatment with slow acting pyriproxyfen at concentrations of 0.3 – 0.9% is aneffective strategy for eliminating Pharaoh ant colonies.