Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acids on House Crickets, Orthoptera: Gryllidae
Leon L. Robert, Oriana V. Ellis, Aubrey L. Shoop, Michael P. Labare

Abstract
The effectiveness of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as a biodegradable insecticide was examined on house crickets, Acheta domesticus (L.). Mature (0.3523g ± 0.0813 g) and immature (0.0191g ± 0.0013 g) crickets were sprayed for 40 s which delivered 1.47 mL over a 78.5cm2 surface. Butanoic acid (1.36 M, pH 4.0)was the most lethal treatment and killed 100% of the immature and adult crickets within 10 minutes whereas the controls had no mortality for 24 hours. The LC50 valuesfor propionic, butanoic, and pentanoic acid were 1.10M, 0.44M and 0.26M, respectively, for immature crickets. The LC50 valuesfor propionic, butanoic, and pentanoic acid were 0.82M, 0.57M and 0.16M, respectively, for adult crickets. The SCFAs (propionic, butanoic, and pentanoic) at their highest concentrations induced a drop in hemolymph pH from 8.24 to 7.86, 7.24 and 7.88, respectively. These three SCFAs were effective in killing both immature and adult house crickets and show promise as a “green” insecticide.

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