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AgCenter scientists have developed an improved insecticide that is particularly effective against the rice water weevil. The insecticide is applied to the plant shortly before a field is flooded. After application, the insecticide is quickly absorbed. This greater absorption may also reduce the necessary amount of chemical insect control agents used in treatments.
LSU AgCenter scientists have discovered a novel termite bait that combines both chemical and bacterial control methods. This combination lowers termite resistance to bacterial infection and is more environmentally friendly than a purely chemical method. Lab experiments have shown a significant difference in the mortality of termites with the combination treatment as compared to chemical treatments alone as early as the fourth day of treatment.
A new substance has been discovered that more effectively deters termites from feeding on wood or cellulose and kills most of their colony. Termites that feed on the substance will die; termites given a choice of feed materials will not eat the treated material. This substance is nontoxic to mammals and is effective in very small amounts.
This invention is a modified yeast that can be fed to termites to produce and express peptides that destroy the protozoa responsible for wood digestion in the termites’ guts. The demise of these protozoa results in the death of the termites. The time required for the yeast to kill the termites is long enough to allow transfer of the yeast among colony mates. The peptide products of the modified yeast are very specific for the wood digesting protozoa and are effective in small amounts.
AgCenter scientists have invented a new type of floating pitfall trap meant to capture and study insects and spiders associated with aquatic habitats and to determine their distributions within a certain location. The trap has superior performance in areas with increased amounts of aquatic vegetation and is designed for long-term use with minimal need for upkeep or replacement. The trap can be placed in hard-to-sample wet areas, allowing it to trap a wider variety of insects.
