Abstract
In this laboratory evaluation, Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) actively attacked in the first week of testingPinus radiata (D. Don) wood blocks (50 x 25 x 15 mm) was treated with concentrations of Flufenoxuron (Flurox™) (that is, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ppm); the blocks with highest concentration were the most attractive. Results were similar whether blocks were leached or unleached. The earliest mortality occurred in the 400 ppm treatments between the fifth and sixth week of testing. All levels of flurox treatments proved toxic to C. acinaciformis, within eight weeks. Termite mortality over the test period in the water treated and solvent treated controls remained at ten percent. Flurox stimulated active termite feeding and tended to override the termites’ tendency to ‘mud-up’ their food source and surroundings. This suggests a strong ‘attractancy-feeding response’ induced by flurox. Since there was no significant difference between toxicity levels in the leached and unleached blocks, it may be concluded that flurox was firmly bound to the wood substrate of the timber specimens. These laboratory results strongly indicate that flurox has a role as a potential termite bait toxicant, particularly against Coptotermes species. Field trials were also conducted with parallel results. Key words: Flurox, bait toxicant, Coptotermes acinaciformis, leached and unleached blocks, toxicity, feeding, mortality, laboratory evaluation, termite.
Highlights
Until recently in Australia, protection of timber-in-service from subterranean termites depended mainly on soil barriers, with the use of toxic, persistent chemicals such as the organochlorines and the organophosphate chlorpyrifos
Since there was no significant difference between toxicity levels in the leached and unleached blocks, it may be concluded that flurox was firmly bound to the wood substrate of the timber specimens
This paper describes a laboratory evaluation of the compound flurox which is a member of the chitin synthesis inhibitor group as a potential bait toxicant when impregnated into timber specimens and exposed to subterranean termite attack in a no-choice situation
Summary
Until recently in Australia, protection of timber-in-service from subterranean termites depended mainly on soil barriers, with the use of toxic, persistent chemicals such as the organochlorines and the organophosphate chlorpyrifos. Dusting termites in galleries and sheltertubes with arsenic trioxide was still permitted and was normally the first step taken to eradicate subterranean termites from existing buildings, followed by soil treatment. Recommended that organochlorine insecticides be banned from use in termite control measures in all States and Territories of Australia, except the Northern Territory which was granted an extension (Anon, 1995) Prior to this time, protection of timber-in-service from subterranean termites depended mainly on soil barriers, with the use of toxic, persistent chemicals such as the organochlorines, the organophosphate chlorpyrifos (Australian Standard, 1995) and treated timber. The first step taken to eradicate subterranean termites from existing buildings was to dust using arsenic trioxide, followed by chemical soil treatment
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