Field and Laboratory Efficacy of Three Insecticides for Population Management of the Asian Cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

Toxicity, repellency, and performance of three insecticides, β-cyfluthrin EC, fipronil granules, and an essential oil EC formulation, were evaluated against the Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai Mizukubo, in field and laboratory experiments. The β-cyfluthrin EC and fipronil granules were significantly more toxic than the essential oil EC formulation under continuous exposure conditions, with LT₅₀ values of 0.014,0.45, and 11.45 d, respectively. The β-cyfluthrin EC and fipronil granules were also significantly more toxic than the essential oil EC formulation in an Ebeling choice box test with LT₅₀ values of 0.64, 1.98, and 59.64 d, respectively. Field applications of insecticides at label rates to Asian cockroach populations in Dothan, AL, showed that β-cyfluthrin EC and fipronil granules reduced populations by 100% at 7 and 30 d after treatment. The essential oil EC formulation initially reduced populations by 68% at 7 d, but control diminished to 2% by 30 d. Results of the field applications and laboratory experiments demonstrate that the β-cyfluthrin EC and fipronil granules provide excellent control of Asian cockroach populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]