[The effect of chlordecone (Kepone) on the laboratory colonies of the Pharaoh's ant Monomorium pharanois].
The control of the Pharaoh's ant Monomorium pharaonis is very difficult because of the social way of life in this insect pest. In regard to the reported good suppressing results of Chlordecone we analyzed the mode of action in this compound at laboratory colonies of the pharaoh's ant. Commercial gel and granular formulations as well as selfmade baits have been tested. The best results showed the granular bait on the basis of ground nut butter, while the effects of all of the others was much weaker. The pure gel, developed for cockroach control, was like the application in drinking water without success. The treatment of the colonies after a starvation period of 60 hours improved all of the effects. Sterility (fertility, fecundity) in the surviving queens was not measurable. For practical control measures the often recommended prebaiting is not at all desirable. The action on the worker ants is good, but the special mode of action based on the selective mortality in the queens and its detailed effects are unknown. Through the early absence of queens in the colonies will be induced in many cases a production of new sexuals, which compensate the success of the poison and allow the colonies to recover. The treatment leads faster to an eradiction if the ET90 to workers mortality reached earlier than that in the queens. Successful control of pharaoh's ant will Chlordecone should be considered with reserve. Nethertheless Chlordecone is in the present situation of pharaoh's ant control one of the best so far known organic-synthetically insecticides.
D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000254:growth & development; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D005260:Female; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007300:Insect Control; D007306:Insecticides; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D011679:Pupa
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides
Die Wirkung von Chlordecone (Kepone) auf Laborkolonien der Pharaoameise Monomorium pharaonis