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. 2023 Mar 23;14(4):311.
doi: 10.3390/insects14040311.

The Potential of Fluralaner as a Bait Toxicant to Control Pest Yellowjackets in California

Michael K Rust  1 , Chow-Yang Lee  1 , Ho Eun Park  1 , Kathleen Campbell  1 , Dong-Hwan Choe  1 , Mary Sorensen  2 , Andrew Sutherland  3 , Casey Hubble  3 , Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann  4 , John Kabashima  4 , Shu-Ping Tseng  5 , Linda Post  6
Affiliations

The Potential of Fluralaner as a Bait Toxicant to Control Pest Yellowjackets in California

Michael K Rust et al. Insects. .

Abstract

The western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica (Saussure), is an important seasonal pest of recreational and outdoor venues in the western United States. Its propensity to scavenge food increases the likelihood of stinging incidences. Control measures are limited to intensive trapping and treating subterranean nests. The only toxicant registered for baiting in the US is esfenvalerate, which is ineffective. The objective of this study was to determine the potential of the isoxazoline fluralaner as a bait toxicant. With microsatellite genotyping, a minimum of 27 different colonies were shown to forage at a single monitoring site. Some colonies disappeared after baiting, and new colonies were detected. The implications for baiting and monitoring are discussed. Minced chicken and hydrogel baits containing 0.022% and 0.045% fluralaner significantly reduced foraging yellowjackets. Several bait applications covering large areas will be necessary to provide long-term control.

Keywords: Vespula pensylvanica; fluralaner; hydrogel baits; isoxazoline.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of the UC Berkeley Richmond Field Station showing the locations of the three monitoring transects used during 2020. Baits were applied along transect A, and transects B and C were untreated and considered seasonal checks (controls). Red dots indicate the location, and the number of the monitoring trap along transects A, B and C. Minimum distance from transect A to B—600 m; minimum distance from transect A to C—500 m.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Map of the UC Berkeley Richmond Field Station showing the locations of the three monitoring transects used during 2021. Baits were applied along transect A. Transects C and X were untreated and considered seasonal checks (controls). Red dots indicate the location, and the number of the monitoring trap along transects A, C and X. Minimum distance from transect A to C—800 m; minimum distance from transect A to X—700 m.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The UCR-style trap with re-useable and interchangeable components.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The UCR plastic circular bait stations and ant guard used at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Venn diagram of the number of colonies at transect A, B, and C before baiting in 2020 at RFS.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Venn diagram of the number of colonies at transect A before and after baiting in 2020 at RFS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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