Blends of Pheromones, With and Without Host Plant Volatiles, Can Attract Multiple Species of Cerambycid Beetles Simultaneously.

Pheromone components of cerambycid beetles are often conserved, with a given compound serving as a pheromone component for multiple related species, including species native to different continents. Consequently, a single synthesized compound may attract multiple species to a trap simultaneously. Furthermore, our previous research in east-central Illinois had demonstrated that pheromones of different species can be combined to attract an even greater diversity of species. Here, we describe the results of field bioassays in the northeastern, midwestern, southeastern, south-central, and southwestern United States that assessed attraction of cerambycids to a 'generic' pheromone blend containing six known cerambycid pheromone components, versus the individual components of the blend, and how attraction was influenced by plant volatiles. Nineteen species were attracted in significant numbers, with the pheromone blend attracting about twice as many species as any of the individual components. The blend attracted species of three subfamilies, whereas individual components attracted species within one subfamily. However, some antagonistic interactions between blend components were identified. The plant volatiles ethanol and α-pinene usually enhanced attraction to the blend. Taken together, these experiments suggest that blends of cerambycid pheromones, if selected carefully to minimize inhibitory effects, can be effective for sampling a diversity of species, and that plant volatiles generally enhance attraction. Such generic pheromone blends may serve as an effective and economical method of detecting incursions of exotic, potentially invasive species.

Elimination of subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) colonies using a refined cellulose bait matrix containing noviflumuron when monitored and replenished quarterly.

Using a quarterly (3-mo) monitoring and bait-replenishment interval, 122 subterranean termite colonies throughout the United States were baited with a refined cellulose bait matrix containing 0.5% noviflumuron. All colonies were eliminated in less than 1 yr after initiation of baiting as determined by long-term monitoring and genetic markers. Sixty-three percent of the colonies were eliminated during the first quarter after the initiation of baiting and 77% of colonies were eliminated after consuming two bait tubes or less. This suggests that a single baiting cycle and bait installed in response to a single active monitoring device were sufficient to eliminate the majority of colonies. Although termites temporarily abandoned stations after depleting bait, workers resumed feeding when baits were replenished. Colonies that consumed large amounts of bait before elimination foraged into multiple stations, thus allowing adequate amounts of bait to sustain feeding. The time to eliminate termite colonies with bait replenished quarterly was similar to that previously reported for laminated cellulose bait replenished monthly. Our data support the conclusion that extending the bait replenishment interval from monthly to quarterly for bait tubes with refined cellulose containing 0.5% noviflumuron did not adversely impact colony elimination.

Volatile effects of insect growth regulators against the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

Third-instar German cockroach nymphs were held to maturity in continuous proximity to test surfaces treated with hydroprene and fenoxycarb, which they were unable to contact directly. Surfaces tested were unfinished plywood, fiberboard, vinyl tile (absorbent surfaces), glass, stainless steel, ceramic tile, and formica (nonabsorbent surfaces). Number of oothecae, percent egg hatch, and survival did not differ between any fenoxycarb treatment and the untreated controls, but there was significant wing twisting (76-94%) for all nonabsorbent surfaces. Number of oothecae was significantly lower and percent wing twisting was significantly higher for all hydroprene-treated surfaces with respect to the untreated controls, although survival was not affected. These effects were less pronounced for the nonabsorbent surfaces. These results indicate that hydroprene, but not fenoxycarb, has significant biological activity through volatile action when applied at current label rates. This activity is likely to have important consequences for control, especially for "crack and crevice" applications in confined spaces.

Toxicity of abamectin to cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae, Blattidae).

Abamectin was fed to German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), in non-choice tests. LT50s and LC50s were estimated by probit analysis. The LT50s for the German cockroach ranged from 4.4 to 1.7 d for males, from 9.0 to 2.4 d for females, and from 4.4 to 1.6 d for nymphs for bait concentrations of abamectin between 0.0025 and 0.0500%. The LC50s of abamectin were 0.0110 and 0.0040% from males, 0.0240 and 0.0090% for females, and 0.0200 and 0.0080% for nymphs at 3 and 6 d, respectively. The LT50 values of 0.0550% abamectin bait were 3.4, 3.4, 2.4, 7.5, 2.9, and 4.5 d for Periplaneta americana (L.), P. fuliginosa (Serville), P. brunnea Burmeister, P. australasiae (F.), Blatta orientalis L., and Supella longipalpa (Serville). Although the bait was effective against various cockroach species, time to death for the larger species was longer than for the German cockroach. In preference tests in which male German cockroaches were allowed to feed on rat chow or abamectin bait, all died within 5 d of exposure to abamectin bait. Abamectin bait consumption was not significantly lower than that of untreated rat chow. Arena tests with 0.0550% abamectin bait resulted in 31-75% mortality of German cockroaches after 9 d, with most control being achieved by treating harborages with the bait. The hydramethylnon standard resulted in 65% mortality after 9 d.

Pyrethroid resistance and synergism in a field strain of the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

A field-collected strain of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), was highly resistant to 10 pyrethroid insecticides (cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, esfenvalerate, fluvalinate, permethrin, resmethrin, sumithrin, tralomethrin) based on topical applications and comparison with a known susceptible strain. Resistance ratios ranged from 29 to 337. In general, pyrethroid compounds with an alpha-cyano functional group were more toxic than those lacking this moiety, but resistance ratios were similar for both classes of compound. The metabolic inhibitors DEF and PBO were tested for synergism in conjunction with cypermethrin (alpha-cyano) and permethrin (non alpha-cyano). Application of synergists resulted in partial elimination of resistance, suggesting that the basis of resistance involves enhanced metabolism as well as target site insensitivity. These results suggest that pyrethroid insecticides may have a very short functional life in German cockroach control unless they are used judiciously.

Reproduction and development of Blattella asahinai (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

The development of the Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai Mizukubo, was studied under laboratory conditions. Immature development and adult longevity were 67.8 and 103.5 d for females and 65.7 and 48.5 d for males. Females produced an average of 3.7 oothecae, 64.6% of which were viable. Viable oothecae contained an average of 37.5 eggs with an 88% rate of hatch. Females required 13 d after eclosion to produce the first ootheca and 7.9 d between dropping one ootheca and producing the next. Viable oothecae were incubated an average of 19.2 d. Nonviable oothecae were either dropped within 4 d or carried for a period similar to the incubation period of viable oothecae. The estimated lifetime reproductive potential of female Asian cockroaches was 79.6 hatched eggs. This estimate is similar to that of another outdoor species, Blattella vaga Hebard, but approximately one half that of the closely related German cockroach, B. germanica (L.), under similar conditions. Tests in the field and laboratory indicated that chemical control is feasible with application of residual pesticides to lawns and low vegetation where Asian cockroaches are found.

INFORMATION LEVEL AND DIMENSIONALITY OF LIBERALISM-CONSERVATISM.

This study explores, again, the question of the magnitude of relationships between different aspects of political-economic liberalism-conservatism. The question has not been resolved by numerous investigations. This study, urtilizing extensive indices of political stance, is designed to shed light on several alternative hypotheses regarding the structure of this important attitude-belief system.