Developing smart aerosol technologies for insect control

Abstract

Novel technologies for controlling invasive pest insects could benefit New Zealand environmentally and economically Current technologies could be improved by reducing nontarget impacts and running costs and improving delivery to target populations A novel aerosol technology currently in development is presented for control of pest insects The data are from two preliminary experiments investigating the potential use of this technology to control the invasive social wasp Vespula vulgaris In experiment 1 the quantity of the juvenile hormone analogue methoprene delivered from a prototype sprayer to dead mounted wasps at various distances was measured Up to 200 956;g of methoprene was able to be delivered from 40 cm away In experiment 2 V vulgaris larvae were fed methoprene in single varyingstrength doses under laboratory conditions The proportion of larvae pupated after 1 week was measured It was found that 075 15 and 3 956;g methoprene all successfully reduced pupation These promising early results indicate smart aerosol technology may be a viable option for control of pest insects and warrants further development