Effect of fipronil and bifenthrin treatment zones on Solenopsis invicta buren and other ant activity around Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis L., nest boxes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2005

Abstract

Red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, have been reported to attack Eastern Bluebirds, Sialia sialis L. in Louisiana. We applied a 2-m radius protective chemical treatment zone around the base of bluebird nest boxes by treating with two granular contact insecticides, bifenthrin and fipronil. We also characterized S. invicta and other ant ground activity near the nest boxes before and after the treatment using pitfall traps. There was no significant effect of either chemical on S. invicta breach of the treatment zone, possibly because of frequent grass mowing and >12 cm of rain immediately after treatment. Thirteen species of ants were captured and three of those species, Hypoponera opaciceps, Pyranica membranifera, and Brachymyrmex obscurior, significantly increased in number after treatment. Shannon-Wiener indices, H′ < 1 indicated that ant diversity was low, most likely because of high numbers of S. invicta and Brachymyrmex obscurior compared with other species.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology

First Page

87

Last Page

97

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