11

Banana Ant Control: Past, Banana Ant Control: Past, Present, and FuturePresent, and Future

22

PastPast

No means of ant controlNo means of ant control

33

PresentPresent

Ant control with Amdro Pro in ant bait Ant control with Amdro Pro in ant bait stationsstations

Prevention and Control of the Big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala(F.), (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in

pineapple cultivation using bait stations with Amdro

ByByGlenn TaniguchiGlenn Taniguchi

Tommy ThompsonTommy ThompsonBrent SipesBrent Sipes

55

Background Information on Ant Problem

66

Introduction

77

Big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala, is native to Central Africa

Soldier

Worker

88

Serious pest of pineapple cultivation in Hawaii

99

Dominant ant species in Hawaiian pineapple cultivation

1010

Problem

1111

Ant association with mealybugs, Ant association with mealybugs, Dysmicoccus brevipesDysmicoccus brevipes and and D.D. neobrevipesneobrevipes,,causes pineapple wilt diseasecauses pineapple wilt disease

1212

Damage to drip irrigation tubingDamage to drip irrigation tubing

1313

Control

1414

Ant control by application of Amdro ant bait

1515

Diazinon sprays for mealybug control help to control ants

1616

Control of mealybug by parasites helps to control ants

Photo by Raju Pandey

Anagyrus sp.

1717

Bait Station Concept

Utilize existing urban pest control ant Utilize existing urban pest control ant bait station for agricultural usebait station for agricultural use

Protect Amdro from environmental Protect Amdro from environmental degradationdegradation

TargetTarget--specificityspecificity

Environmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendly

1818

Background Information on Bait Station

1919

Initial studies started in 1999, screened several types of bait stations

2020

Perimeter Patrol System by B & G Perimeter Patrol System by B & G Equipment Co. Equipment Co. was found to be the most found to be the most costcost--effectiveeffective

2121

Bait Station Facts

Protects Amdro ant bait from environmental degradation for 12 or more weeks

Cost-effective placement distance is 15.2 meters or 50 feet

100% ant control in 2-4 months

80% reduction of bait useage compared to broadcast application

2222

Ant Control And Prevention In Entire Fields

In 2003-2004 a demonstration study was installed at a plantation in Honolulu, Hawaii

Two treatments, a 7.3 hectare treatment field and a 7.7 hectare control field

2323

Two treatments, a 7.3 hectare treatment field and a 7.7 hectare control field

• Monitoring traps

► Bait stations

2424

Facts For StudyFacts For StudyTreatment field prevented ant infestation Treatment field prevented ant infestation for 1 year for 1 year Control field received 3 applications of Control field received 3 applications of ant bait and 1 application of ant bait and 1 application of DiazinonDiazinon for for mealybugmealybug controlcontrolTotal cost for entire study for 1 year Total cost for entire study for 1 year (materials and supply) $500 (materials and supply) $500 Total laborTotal labor--hours spent on study for 1 hours spent on study for 1 year (65)year (65)

2525

FutureFuture

Registration of Esteem ant baitRegistration of Esteem ant baitNeed for research on sweet loving antsNeed for research on sweet loving ants

Use of one dominant ant species to Use of one dominant ant species to displace anotherdisplace another

2626

The EndThe End

Funding for this study was provided by Funding for this study was provided by the American Farmland Trust with the the American Farmland Trust with the cooperation of the Hawaii Pineapple cooperation of the Hawaii Pineapple

Growers AssociationGrowers Association