| A study of the ecology and behavior of the Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai Mizukubo, was conducted in Charleston County, South Carolina. The objectives of the research were to monitor population dynamics, investigate habitat characteristics under field conditions, examine the effect of temperature on the reproductive potential of the cockroach under laboratory conditions, and evaluate control strategies in the field. In addition, field evaluation of the efficacy of a toxic granular bait and liquid pyrethroid to manage the cockroach also was investigated. The goal of this research was to provide a foundation for developing Asian cockroach control strategies.;Four trap designs were compared outdoors at ground level for sampling the Asian cockroach in an environment where fire ants and feral animals were common on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Modified Hagenbuch can traps with ethylene glycol caught significantly more cockroaches than the modified Hagenbuch can without ethylene glycol, plain can, or glass jar traps.;Seasonal population fluctuations were documented in a study, conducted on Kiawah Island from January 1999 through January 2000. Cockroaches were trapped and removed. Over-wintering populations were predominately late-instar nymphs in outdoor environments. The Asian cockroach population peaked in July and declined within two months to its pre-summer size.;Reproduction of the Asian cockroach was investigated at 15, 25, and 35°C in the laboratory. Females produced more oothecae, with higher fecundity at 35°C than at 15 or 25°C. Number of eggs per ootheca was significantly lower at 15°C, with no significant difference at 25 and 35°C.;The efficacy of a granular bait (active ingredient: hydramethylnon) and a pyrethroid spray (active ingredient: cyfluthrin) was evaluated against the Asian cockroach under field conditions. The experiment was conducted in Kiawah Island and Isle of Palms from 11 June to 8 November 2001. Both insecticides reduced the cockroach density in both locations. The toxic bait showed delayed activity on cockroach reduction. Although there was no difference for the rate of reduction between these two treatments in the first two weeks after treatment, mean comparison on trap catches indicated significant differences in cockroach catches between bait and liquid treatment sites at the first week after insecticide application. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
