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Areawide Field Study on Effect of Three Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor Baits on Populations of Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Author:
Osbrink, Weste L.A., Cornelius, Mary L., Lax, Alan R.
Source:
Journal of economic entomology 2011 v.104 no.3 pp. 1009
ISSN:
1938-291X
Subject:
Coptotermes formosanus, Reticulitermes flavipes, baits, diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, chlorfluazuron, termite control
Abstract:
Periodic sampling of 43 independent monitors, initially active with Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, or the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), was conducted to evaluate the effects of cellulose baits containing one of three chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs)--diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, or chlorfluazuron--on termite populations. Diflubenzuron at 0.1% active ingredient (AI, wt:wt) had no noticeable effect on termite populations. Chlorfluazuron (0.25% [AI]) significantly reduced termite populations in ≈3 yr. Chlorfluazuron used after >2-yr diflubenzuron treatment significantly reduced termite populations within months. This suggests diflubenzuron exposure increased the termite's sensitivity to chlorfluazuron accelerating population collapse. Hexaflumuron (0.5% [AI] ) also reduced termite populations in approximately equal to 2 yr. The process of removing most detectable termite populations from the approximately equal to 460,000-m2 campus of the Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA, with CSIs baits required approximately equal to 3 yr. Adjustments in the specific bait formulations and application procedures might reduce time to suppression. Establishment of new independent termite populations provides a mechanism to minimize the effects of baits. Remedial control measures around and under structures should be considered when implementing an area wide management strategy.
Agid:
49942
Handle:
10113/49942