Pesticides and Phytomedicine / Pesticidi i fitomedicina

Improvement of rodent pest control strategy: I - Selection of an adequate preservative for bait base longevity under unfavourable environmental conditions

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:07:30 +0200

Preservation of the appearance, structure and most importantly the attractiveness of baits targeting harmful rodents over extended periods of their exposure is one of the main tasks in the process of bait formulation. The impact of several preservatives, different methods of homogenization of main bait components, and base-paraffin ratios on the extension of longevity of bait base was examined under controlled laboratory conditions. Baits based on ground maize grain were exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions, such as high temperature (30 °C-35 °C) and air humidity (90%-95%). The exposure period was 9 days, and potential mold development was monitored over the same period of time. Sodium benzoate was found deficient in providing a satisfactory effect on bait longevity (<5 days), in contrast to potassium sorbate (>7 days) and sorbic acid, which provided the longest extension in bait sustainability (>9 days). Preservative application can significantly extend bait longevity under unfavourable environmental conditions. Extended bait functionality is important for rodent pest control procedures in habitats where unfavourable environmental conditions prevail, such as sewers and water supply grids (collectors and pumping stations), public areas, housing facilities (boiler rooms, moist sellers, etc.).

Neopulvinaria innumerabilis (Rathvon, 1854), a new species of Coccidae in Serbia

Marina Dervišević, Draga Graora — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:18:47 +0200

In 2016, the species Neopulvinaria innumerabilis (Rathvon, 1854), belonging to the scale
insect family Coccidae, was for the first time found in Serbia, in the location Radmilovac
on Cornus sanguinea L. It reproduces by gamogenesis, develops one generation annually,
and overwinters as a fertilized female on the trunk or branches of its host plant. During this
research, the species was detected on five host plants at six locations in Serbia. It feeds by
sucking sap from leaves, young shoots and branches of infested plants, causing desiccation of
leaves and individual twigs. Four species of its natural enemies were collected and reared from
colonies of N. innumerabilis. Two species of parasitoid wasps, Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker)
(Aphelinidae) and Metaphycus hageni Daane and Caltagirone (Encyrtidae), were found, while
the ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus L. (Coccinellidae) and the fly Leucopomyia silesiaca
(Egger) (Chamaemyiidae) were identified as predators. The most abundant entomophagous
species was L. silesiaca.

Serbian

Milan M Ivanović, Mirko Ivanović — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 10:45:30 +0200

Nema apstrakta