Lufenuron - A New Breakthrough in Control of Wood Destroying Insects

Abstract

Use of environmentally acceptable preservative that contains no metals is an essential criterion in wood preservation. In this study, an environment friendly chemical viz., lufenuron was evaluated as a wood preservative chemical to protect plywood and solid wood from wood destroying insects. The efficacy of lufenuron was studied against powder post beetle and subterranean termite. The method used for the treatment of solid wood was dipping and glue line poisoning for plywood. Lufenuron was tested at various concentration level viz., 0.5, 1 and 2 % against powder post beetle and subterranean termite. Observations were made for a period of eighteen months for powder post beetle (natural infestation test) and twelve months for subterranean termite (field test). From the results of the toxicity study, it has been found that the lethal dose of lufenuron against powder post beetle and subterranean termite are 0.5 and 1 % respectively in both the methods.