Authors: Miller, D. M.; Koehler, P. G.; Nation, J. L.

Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 93, Number 3, June 2000 , pp. 865-870(6)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

Abstract:

An aqueous extract of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), fecal material was evaluated for inducing trail-following behavior in German cockroaches. In arena tests the fecal extract was found to stimulate trail following in 74% of adult male cockroaches. Significantly fewer cockroaches (22%) followed water-treated (control) trails. Residual activity of the fecal extract trails was evaluated by bioassay after the trails had been stored in the refrigerator or in the open air. Although trails stored in the refrigerator showed no decline in activity after 14 d, those stored in the open air declined significantly after 3 d, inducing only 40% of adult male cockroaches to follow the trail. After 7 d the activity of trails stored in the open air was further reduced to 23%. The ability of fecal-extract trails to influence trap catch in monitoring stations was determined by bioassay. Paper trails treated with fecal extract or water were positioned between cockroach harborages and monitoring stations inside 122-cm² arenas. The presence of the fecal extract-treated trails significantly enhanced trap catch. Mean catch in the traps with fecal extract trails was 28 cockroaches compared with a mean of 11 cockroaches in the control traps. The trap catch ratios of adults to nymphs in the treated and control treatments were not significantly different.

Keywords: Blattella germanica; fecal extract; trail following; trap catch

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/0022-0493-93.3.865

Publication date: 2000-06-01

More about this publication?

• Journal of Economic Entomology is published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October, and December. The journal publishes articles on the economic significance of insects and is divided into the following sections: apiculture & social insects; arthropods in relation to plant disease; forum; insecticide resistance and resistance management; ecotoxicology; biological and microbial control; ecology and behavior; sampling and biostatistics; household and structural insects; medical entomology; molecular entomology; veterinary entomology; forest entomology; horticultural entomology; field and forage crops, and small grains; stored-product; commodity treatment and quarantine entomology; and plant resistance. In addition to research papers, Journal of Economic Entomology publishes Letters to the Editor, interpretive articles in a Forum section, Short Communications, Rapid Communications, and Book Reviews.
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