Bait preference by the Argentine ant (hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
Krushelnycky PD and Reimer NJ. 1998. Bait preference by the Argentine ant (hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Haleakala National Park, Hawaii. Environmental Entomology. 27(6):1482-1487
The Agrentine Ant has proven to be a threat to native arthropod species in Haleakala National Park, Maui, HI and is also a potential threat to the park's native flora. As it continues to expand it's range, an effort has been undertaken to eradicate it, or at the least control its spread. The 1st part of this effort was focused on finding a bait carrier for subsequent toxicant-based control tests. A year long bait preference test was implemented at each of the ants 2 infestation sites in Haleakala National Park in which 6 solid baits and 2 liquid baits were assessed for attractiveness and feasibility for a large scale control. At both sites a toxicant free formation of maxforce , a protein based granular bait made from ground silkworm, Bombyx mori pupae and a 25% sugarwater solution were the most attractive baits . Ants took more maxforce (witout toxicant) and sugar water then all other baits including honey granules and fish protein bait. Sugar water however is difficult to distribute over large natrual areas. Maxforce was therefore concluded to be the best bait carrier for toxicant-based control at Haleakala National Park because of its attractiveness and its ease for large scale broadcast dispersal.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Krushelnycky, Paul; Reimer, Neil
- Units
- HALE
- Keywords
- Alien Species, Argentine Ants, bait preference, biological invasion, Formicidae, Hawaii, Hymenoptera, Invertebrates