We investigated the efficacy of Amdro for protection of ground nesting birds at Idlewild Research Station in Louisiana. In spring 2000, we treated 3 five-acre pastures with Amdro using a hopper mounted on the back of a 4-wheel ATV at 1.5 lbs/acre. We monitored ant populations with mound counts and food traps before and after treatment and in 3 five-acre plots reserved as contemporaneous controls. Two sets of 10 Japanese quail chicks were placed in the treated and untreated plots. Ninety-seven percent of the chicks in the untreated plots were attacked and killed by fire ants within 7 days. In treated plots, 93% of the chicks survived. Small cages may have contributed to the high mortality of the chicks in untreated plots. In 2001, we treated 3 twenty-five-acre plots comprising of pasture and forest with an aerial application of Amdro at 1.5 lbs/acre. Three 25-acre plots were set up as controls. Ants were monitored with food traps. We measured the amount of Amdro that landed on the treated plots using large sticky traps. Japanese quail were placed in each field as described above. Using larger cages and providing harborage, Northern bobwhite coveys were placed in treated and untreated plots and survival was recorded.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Formicidae Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant, fire ants)
Species 2: Galliformes Phasianidae Coturnix coromandelica (Japanese quail)
Species 3: Galliformes Phasianidae Colinus virginianus (northern bobwhite)
Keywords: predation, Amdro
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA