LAUSR

Abstract  Flonicamid is a systemic pesticide that inhibits the feeding of certain greenhouse pests and certain hemipteran pests of agricultural crops. In a laboratory study directed at the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.), flonicamid (as Aria®) was evaluated for its ability to either kill or inhibit the feeding of this blood-sucking pest. After flonicamid was applied topically (by spray), as a residual (to bed bug harborages), or fed directly to bed bugs by incorporating the insecticide into the bloodmeal, mortality assessments were made and surviving bed bugs were given the opportunity to feed on untreated blood. At the recommended label rates and at rates that approached the solubility limits of the product in water, it was concluded that this insecticide would be ineffective in a bed bug control program.