Patricia A. Zungoli

Emergence of the introduced ant Pachycondyla chinensis (Formicidae: Ponerinae) as a public health threat in the southeastern United States.

Abstract Pachycondyla chinensis (Emery) (Formicidae: Ponerinae), a species introduced into North America >70 yr ago, is found throughout Southeast Asia. Stinging of zookeepers by P. chinensis at the Greenville Zoo (Greenville, SC) initiated an investigation of this exotic species and a survey of sting victims. Eighty percent of sting victims experienced local reactions, including swelling <5 cm in diameter around the sting site, recurring pain, skin redness, and mild-to-severe urticaria. These symptoms lasted 2 h to 5 d. Twelve percent of the sting victims reported minor reactions, including no swelling, localized redness, minor pain sensation at the time of sting, mild urticaria, and symptoms lasting <1 h. Eight percent of the sting victims reported significant local reactions, including swelling >5 cm in diameter around the sting site, recurring pain, skin redness, severe urticaria, and symptoms lasting 3–14 d. P. chinensis represents an emerging public health threat throughout its present range in the southeastern United States (i.e., Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia). Because of reported adverse reactions to stings of P. chinensis, further studies on its ecology and medical and veterinary importance need to be undertaken.

Durability of a Novel Durable Bait for Control of Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): Results of Five-Year Field Aging Studies

ABSTRACT A durable termite bait containing 0.5% noviflumuron was evaluated for physical durability, retention of active ingredient, consumption by termites, and toxicity to termites over 5 yr in field studies at locations in Indiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Plots in Indiana and Mississippi included both natural rainfall and irrigated plots, while plots in South Carolina received only natural rainfall. Samples collected every 3 mo for the first 4 yr were evaluated for consumption with a 7 d no-choice bioassay using Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Consumption and toxicity of 5 yr samples were evaluated in similar bioassays conducted for 42 d. Durable baits received from field sites had some cracking, and a small amount of external flaking, but no major deterioration based on visual observation. There were no significant differences in noviflumuron concentration over the 5-yr period and no trend toward reduced concentrations of noviflumuron over time. Consumption of aged durable baits over 4 yr was variable, but termites usually consumed more aged durable bait than fresh durable bait and the differences were frequently significant. There were some exceptions, but termites consumed significantly more fresh durable bait than aged durable bait in only 4% of observations. When 5 yr samples were evaluated, consumption was lowest for fresh durable bait and termites consumed significantly more aged durable bait from irrigated plots in Indiana and from both natural and irrigated plots in Mississippi than fresh durable bait. Survival of termites fed blank durable bait was significantly higher than that for termites fed any of the baits containing noviflumuron and there were no significant differences in survival among the noviflumuron durable baits. Our results suggest that the bait would be durable for at least 5 yr and possibly longer under most environmental conditions.

Residual Efficacy of Insecticides Applied to Exterior Building Material Surfaces for Control of Nuisance Infestations of Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae)

ABSTRACT The plataspid Megacopta cribraria (F.), which was recently introduced to the United States, forms nuisance aggregations on the exteriors of homes when it seeks overwintering sites in the fall. Little to no published information is available on the efficacy of insecticides labeled for professional use and exterior applications on homes and other structures against this insect. In a series of three experiments, we evaluated the residual efficacy of nine insecticides incorporating pyrethroid, neonicotinoid, and oxadiazine active ingredients on surfaces composed of five exterior building materials (vinyl soffit, brick, painted and unfinished plywood, and metal) at rates labeled for use in structural perimeter applications. Pyrethroids and pyrethroid-neonicotinoid mixes were broadly effective, resulting in 100% mortality or knockdown within 24 h in most cases. The neonicotinoid dinotefuran performed similarly on metal and vinyl surfaces, but its residual efficacy was reduced on more porous brick and wood surfaces. The oxadiazine indoxacarb acted more slowly than the other materials, but its performance was maintained on porous surfaces. Overwintering adults of M. cribraria were generally susceptible to the broad-spectrum insecticides most commonly used for exterior applications to homes and other structures.

Evaluation of Chemical Control Strategies for Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in South Carolina State Park Campgrounds1

Abstract The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), is a pest in many urban areas of the southeastern United States. In the Piedmont region of South Carolina, there is a documented problem with L. humile invading the campsites of state park campgrounds. While some parks have tried to implement proactive control programs, the most widely used tactic is spraying insecticides when L. humile populations become intolerable and visitors complain. For this study, a series of four trials were conducted to evaluate insecticidal spray treatments versus combinations of insecticidal sprays and granular bait. Control areas were set up to evaluate the change in ant foraging numbers over a season without chemical interference. One bait (Niban® Granular Bait) and three insecticidal sprays (Premise® 2, Temprid™ SC, and Tempo® Ultra SC) were evaluated to determine the best option in a park setting. The granular bait did not perform as well as the liquid insecticides. Temprid™ SC and Tempo® Ultra SC both resulted in a decrease in L. humile over the four-week period that was not significantly different. Although both insecticides were comparable in results, we found Tempo® Ultra SC to be the best choice in this study due to its lower cost and lower toxicity to non-target organisms. Assessing different methods of chemical management will enhance future efforts at sustainable control of L. humile in campground environments.

Using the DAS-ELISA Test to Establish an Effective Distance Between Bait Stations for Control of Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Natural Areas.

ABSTRACT Linepithema humile (Mayr), the Argentine ant, is an invasive pest that has spread throughout the United States and is a problem in natural and managed habitats in South Carolina. Foraging patterns and the effectiveness of liquid baits for control of this pest have been studied in urban areas. However, similar studies have not been conducted in natural areas such as parks, picnic grounds, or campsites. L. humile populations can be large and widespread, making them a major nuisance pest for visitors to these natural areas. The primary objective of this study was to determine an effective distance between bait stations for control of L. humile in a natural area. A double antibody-sandwich enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) procedure was used to detect individual ants that consumed rabbit immunoglobin (IgG) protein for marking and tracking. In both lab and field conditions, there was a significant difference in the detection of IgG in ants fed protein marker mixed with sugar water compared with ants only fed sugar water. Additional field studies revealed that an individual ant could retain detectable levels of protein marker for 3 d and that an ant feeding on IgG containing bait could be detected over 15 m from the original bait source. Overall, we found that using liquid ant baits, with a placement of 20 m between stations, was effective in reducing L. humile numbers between April to October, 2012 in a natural park area of Lake Greenwood State Park, SC.

Climbing ability of teneral and sclerotized adult bed bugs and assessment of adhesive properties of the exoskeletal fluid using atomic force microscopy

We observed that teneral adults (<1 h post-molt) of Cimex lectularius L. appeared more adept at climbing a smooth surface compared to sclerotized adults. Differences in climbing ability on a smooth surface based on sclerotization status were quantified by measuring the height to which bed bugs climbed when confined within a glass vial. The average maximum height climbed by teneral (T) bed bugs (n = 30, height climbed = 4.69 cm) differed significantly (P< 0.01) from recently sclerotized (RS) bed bugs (n = 30, height climbed = 1.73 cm at ~48 h post molt), sclerotized group 1 (S1) bed bugs (n = 30, S1 = 2.42 cm at >72 h), and sclerotized group 2 (S2) bed bugs (n = 30, height climbed = 2.64 cm at >72 h post molt). When heights from all climbing events were summed, teneral bed bugs (650.8 cm climbed) differed significantly (P< 0.01) from recently sclerotized (82 cm climbed) and sclerotized (group 1 = 104.6 cm climbed, group 2 = 107.8 cm climbed) bed bugs. These findings suggested that the external surface of teneral bed bug exoskeletons possess an adhesive property. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we found that adhesion force of an exoskeletal (presumably molting) fluid decreased almost five-fold from 88 to 17 nN within an hour of molting. Our findings may have implications for laboratory safety and the effectiveness of bed bug traps, barriers, and biomimetic-based adhesives.

Assessment of Contact and Residual Efficacy of Natural-based and Commercial Products for Bed Bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Control

Abstract The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) has recently surged in numbers internationally. A variety of plant-based, or “natural”, products that are stated to kill or repel bed bugs are being marketed directly to consumers, even though the efficacy of many of these products remains poorly known. This study was conducted to determine whether some products advertised as natural are potential tools for management of bed bugs. Five natural-based products were applied as direct sprays to insecticide-susceptible (Harlan) and pyrethroid-resistant (Jersey City) strains of bed bug. Products that were most effective as direct sprays were chosen for residual-spray assays, which were compared with an industry-standard insecticide labeled for control of bed bugs. Both assays were conducted for a 2-wk period. For direct-spray assays, Green Bug® was the only product to produce 100% mortality within 1 min–1 hr (based on strain). Bed Bug Patrol® required 1–2 wk (based on strain) to produce 100% mortality, whereas all other products failed to exceed 70% mortality by the end of the 2-wk period. The two natural-based products (Bed Bug Patrol® and Green Bug®) selected for residual-spray assays failed to differ from the control. Zenprox® (0.25%) produced 100% mortality when applied to the insecticide-susceptible (Harlan) strain yet failed to differ from the control when applied to the pyrethroid-resistant (Jersey City) strain. These findings demonstrate that some natural-based products may be ineffective as residual spray applications for bed bug management.

Assessment of Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius L.) Prevalence, Control Strategies, and Challenges Facing Urban Pest Management Professionals in South Carolina

Abstract Bed bug infestations have been recorded in all 50 states of the United States and they were listed as the number one urban pest problem in 2010 by urban pest management professionals. The objective of this research was to survey urban pest management professionals of South Carolina about the importance and prevalence of bed bugs, types of infested dwellings, most common treatment strategies, and most common problems encountered when treating for bed bugs. Survey forms were distributed at the South Carolina Pest Control Associations annual meeting in 2011. Data were separated according to regions of South Carolina (upstate, midlands, and low country) for analysis. Ants and cockroaches ranked as the two most important pests in all regions, while bed bugs consistently ranked fifth in importance. Houses and apartments were reported to have the most infestations, and insecticides and mechanical removal were the most common treatment strategies. This information is beneficial to state agencies, pest control companies, and extension specialists in South Carolina who are repeatedly called for advice about bed bugs and their infestations.

KALOTERMES APPROXIMATUS HABITAT IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Kalotermes approximatus (Snyder) habitat was studied in South Carolina. This species was found in live and dead, standing, hardwood trees. Height and girth of infested trees were variable with a mean (±SD) of 11.51 ± 7.41 m and 72.60 ± 41.41 cm, respectively. Moisture content was the only measured parameter that was predictable at 23.74 ± 5.05%. Ten of the 19 (52.6%) trees infested with K. approximatus had tree holes. Tree holes were on the southwest, south, southeast, or east side of the tree. Kalotermes approximatus is not a common species in South Carolina. Approximately 1200 trees having characteristics similar to the 19 infested trees were inspected without positive results.