INSECTICIDAL CONTROL OF ADULT SMALL HIVE BEETLE, AETHINA TUMIDA MURRAY (COLEOPTERA: NITIDULIDAE) IN LABORATORY TRIALS

摘要

Treated filter paper laboratory bioassays were used to identify insecticides with potential for the control of Small Hive Beetle adults. Coumaphos, diazinon, temephos, flumethrin, tau-fluvalinate, methomyl, imidacloprid and fipronil were evaluated. Fipronil was the most potent and was selected for further testing in a novel delivery system. This system, based on aluminium foil covered, insecticide treated cardboard took advantage of the beetle's preference to harbour inside corrugated cardboard. Dose-response lines for beetles exposed to cardboard that had been treated with various concentrations of fipronil demonstrated that residues deposited by application of 25 mg L~(-1) (or greater) solutions were lethal to adult beetles. Results of bioassays with cardboard that had been stored at room temperature for up to 84 days indicated that toxicity slowly dissipated over time. Placement of a single covered piece of treated cardboard on the bottom board of artificially infested boxes of comb caused the death or moribundity of 98.4% of beetles within 7 days.