Control of the sugarcane wireworm Melanotus sakishimensis (Coleoptera: Elateridae) by a fipronil bait

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Applied Entomology and Zoology Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 129 - 133
• Main Authors: Tarora, K.(Okinawa-ken. Agricultural Research Center, Itoman (Japan)), Arakaki, N, Uehara, K, Ishimine, M, Kobayashi, A, Nagayama, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY 01.01.2007
• Subjects: ATRAYENTES; ATTRACTANTS; ATTRACTIF; CHEMICAL CONTROL; Coleoptera; CONTROL QUIMICO; Elateridae; fipronil bait; LUTTE CHIMIQUE; MELANOTUS; PESTICIDE; PESTICIDES; PLAGUICIDAS; SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM; sugarcane ratoon; wireworm
• ISSN: 0021-4914; 1347-6068
• DOI: 10.1303/jjaez.2007.129

Effects of fipronil bait (0.5%) on sugarcane wireworm Melanotus sakishimensis Ohira were evaluated in laboratory and field experiments. A laboratory experiment comparing the efficacy of fipronil bait with 1% fipronil granules indicated that the fipronil bait actually attracts and kills wireworms. In field experiments, the number of damaged sugarcane buds was significantly reduced by application of fipronil bait (6 kg/10a), as well as by 3.2% carbosulfan granules (9kg/10a). The frequency of healthy underground buds after harvest was significantly higher in fipronil bait application (6kg/10a and 9kg/10a) at the planting compared with the application of 5.0% carbosulfan granules (9kg/10a). These results suggest that the fipronil bait is effective for wireworm control and may facilitate higher sugarcane stalk yields and ratoon success rates.