Longevity of maldison treated grain bait used for the control of black field cricket (teleogryllus commodus)

Abstract

The longevity of maldison-treated barley used as a bait to kill the black field cricket (Teleogryllus commodus Walker) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) was investigated at several Northland sites and at different times of application in 1981 and 1982. Under dry conditions, a maldison halflife of 20–31 days was measured; the grain remained firm, and after 56 days I grain could kill 3 adult female crickets. High rainfall and soil moisture reduced the maldison half-life to 7–12 days, and after 42 days, grains were rotten and unable to effectively kill crickets. Under most dry summer conditions a single application of maldison bait in mid January is able to control a late egg hatch as well as to prevent reinvasion (provided that adequate bait is applied). Dilution of maldison with water or crop oil at mixing, reduced maldison halflife by 2–3 days. © 1984 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.