Wednesday, December 12, 2001 -
D0776

Effects of moisture on boric acid dust toxicity to German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Marla J. Tanley and Arthur Appel. Auburn University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 301 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL

The toxicity (LT50) of four boric acid dust formulations, ranging in concentration from 40 to 99%, was evaluated at five different relative humidities (0, 12, 57.5, 75, and 100%) and in the presence of liquid water. WS boric acid dust was generally the most toxic formulation at all relative humidities despite having the lowest % boric acid. There was no consistent affect of relative humidity on dust toxicity. However, the LT50 of all dust formulations declined exponentially with increasing amounts of liquid water.

Species 1: Dictyoptera Blattellidae Blattella germanica (German cockroach)
Keywords: Continuous exposure, relative humidity

The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA