Performance of Altriset (TM) (Chlorantraniliprole) Termiticide Against Formosan Subterranean Termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, in Laboratory Feeding Cessation and Collateral Transfer Trials, and Field Applications

Roger E Gold,Robert T. Puckett,Chris Keefer

doi:10.13102/sociobiology.v59i2.880

Roger E Gold, Robert T. Puckett + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v59i2.880

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Journal: Sociobiology	Publication Date: Aug 4, 2015
Citations: 11	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Mitchell Institute, Texas A&M University

Abstract

Chlorantraniliprole represents the first compound to be registered as a termiticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in over a decade. This novel termiticide is currently registered as a 'reduced-risk pesticide' by the EPA. Laboratory and field trials were conducted to quantify mortality of Formosan subterranean termites (FST), Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki resulting from chlorantraniliprole treated soil, the degree to which the termites curtail feeding intensity post-exposure to chlorantraniliprole treated soil, collateral transfer of chlorantraniliprole among nest mates, and the effectiveness of chlorantraniliprole as a remedial treatment against structural infestations of HT. Termites which were exposed to chlorantraniliprole treated soil consumed significantly less paper than unexposed FST. The mean percent mortality of those termites exposed to chlorantraniliprole treated soil was significantly greater than that of unexposed FST. Depending on donor:recipient ratios, the mean mortality of recipients ranged from 14.65 - 90.00 % in the collateral transfer trials. There was a positive correlation between increased donor density and recipient mortality. Through 24 mo post-treatment, 27.3% of the structures which were treated in field trials were observed to have infestations of termites that required re-treatment; however, no FST were observed during the 30 and 36 month post-treatment inspections. Additionally, a novel scoring rubric was developed that will allow standardization of field study sites with respect to dissimilarity in site variables, and will allow for more consistent comparison of results across disparate field experiments. An explanation for the lack of successful remediation of many of the structures involved in the field trial is proposed and is based on our novel scoring system.

Highlights

Formosan subterranean termites (FST) Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), are an invasive insect pest in the United States and elsewhere
The mean amount of paper consumed by FST after exposure to chlorantraniliprole treated soil was negatively correlated with time of exposure (Fig. 2)
Exposure of FST to chlorantraniliprole treated soil resulted in significantly greater mortality and significantly less consumption of food than either; 1) FST exposed to untreated soil, and 2) FST which were not exposed to soil at all

Summary

Introduction

Formosan subterranean termites (FST) Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), are an invasive insect pest in the United States and elsewhere. While this termite species is endemic to mainland China (Kistner 1985), their introduction into the Hawaiian archipelago is believed to have been the result of maritime activity originating from the Island of Taiwan (formerly Formosa), with subsequent introductions to continental United States originating from Hawaii (Su and Scheffrahn 1998; Cabrera et al 2000; Hawthorne et al 2000; Howell et al 2000; Scheffrahn et al 2001; Jenkins et al 2002). There is an increasing emphasis towards the development of least-risk chemical treatments, as well as non-chemical tactics for termite control (Lewis 1997)

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Conclusion