Insecticide delivery system and attractant

An insecticidal composition comprising at least one species of entomopathogen in an insect-consumable polysaccharide continuous matrix consisting essentially of glucuronic acid, rhamnose, glucose, and an O-glycosidically linked ester, said ester having up to about 5% O-acetyl groups, said composition having gamma-irradiated fungal-decayed wood or extract thereof as an attractant, said fungal-decayed wood exposed to irradiation effective to kill fungi without adversely affecting said attractant.

An insecticidal macrogel comprising an insect-consumable continuous matrix containing at least one species of entomopathogen, a hydrated water retentive polymer selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic acrylic, acrylamide, vinyl and a polyurethane polymer, said water retentive polymer provides a reservoir of water for preventing dehydration of said entomopathogen, said polymer and said entomopathogen dispersed throughout said matrix.

An insecticidal macrogel comprising an insect-consumable continuous matrix containing at least one species of entomopathogen, a hydrated water retentive polymer which provides a reservoir of water for preventing dehydration of the entomopathogen, and at least one attractant selected from fungal decayed wood or extract thereof, said attractant exposed to irradiation effective to kill fungi without adversely affecting said attractant, said polymer and said entomopathogen dispersed throughout said matrix.

An insecticidal macrogel comprising an insect-consumable continuous matrix containing at least one species of entomopathogen, a hydrated water retentive polymer which provides a reservoir of water for preventing dehydration of the entomopathogen, and at least one attractant selected from fungi decayed wood or extract thereof, said attractant treated with gamma rays at a dose sufficient to kill fungi without adversely affecting said attractant, said polymer and said entomopathogen dispersed throughout said matrix.