Abstract
Among several ant species that cause damage to polyethylene tubings used in drip irrigation of Hawaiian sugarcane fields, Solenopsis geminata (F.) is the most serious pest. Studies were conducted to determine some of the factors that affect the chewing and digging activities of this species. Pit fall traps indicate that S. geminata is concentrated primarily along field edges. The presence of wet food, water, and CO2 within the polyethylene tubing increased chewing and digging activity. Tubings that are either buried or in constant darkness had more ant damage than those placed on the soil or subjected to constant light. Increasing temperatures (20–35°C) caused an increasing degree of damage to the tubing. Damage was less on tubings that had orifices constructed by mechanical means than those in which heat (hot needle or laser beam) was used. Rubber materials were more ant resistant than plastics. Damage was significantly reduced by coating the tubing with 1.0% solutions of tributyltin chloride, tributyltin oxide, and 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Juglone).
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