The effectiveness of the fipronil and imidacloprid active substances to control weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina)

Abstract

One of the methods used in controlling Oecophylla smaragdina is to use baiting. The purpose of this study was to analyze comparison the effectiveness of the fipronil and imidacloprid active substances to control Oecophylla smaragdina. The methods used in this study include the preparation of test insects, making of toxic bait, test the effectiveness of toxic baits, calculation of mortality and data analysis. ANOVA test results obtained a significance value of 0.00 (P < 0.05), this indicates that there is a significant difference in the percentage of mortality between the treatment groups. The results showed that the two active substances could cause 100% mortality in weaver ants. In addition, the lowest LT50 and LT90 occurred in the use of bait with fipronil, namely LT50 = 6.31 hours and LT90 = 11.21 hours. The active substance fipronil only takes 12 hours to cause weaver ants to experience 100% mortality. In the group of weaver ants who were given bait with a combination of the active substance imidacloprid, the ants died 100% after 24 hours of treatment. The results of this study show that the active substance fipronil is more effective in controlling Oecophylla smaragdina compared to the active substance imidacloprid.