Area‐population control of fungus‐growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus, using hexaflumuron durable baits

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fungus-growing termites (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) are common forest and agriculture pests. To evaluate the efficacy of termite baiting in suppressing field population of fungus-growing termites, a durable termite bait with hexaflumuron was evenly installed in a one-hectare forest area dominated by a fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki). Monthly monitoring of termite foraging activity on baits and wood stakes was conducted for 4 years to quantify efficacy of baits. To examine whether the hexaflumuron led to colony death, pesticides in fungus gardens of active and deceased nests were quantified using a LC-QTOF/MS. RESULTS: After baiting, 50% and 90% of baits were fed upon 10 and 24 months, respectively. After 2 years of baiting, the monthly number of wood stakes occupied by termites was reduced from 34.7 ± 1.8 to 17.6 ± 2.5 (−49.1%), and the number of wood stakes consumed was reduced from 17.7 ± 0.8 to 13.3 ± 1.2 (−25.7%). Hexaflumuron was detected in deceased colonies, including five of six fungus gardens and the fungal tissue of Xyleria grown on fungus gardens, with a concentration of 0.31-20.11 mg kg −1 dry weight.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that durable hexaflumuron baits consumed by fungus-growing termites were further incorporated into fungus gardens, resulted in colony elimination and negative area-population effects, supporting that durable hexaflumuron baits are effective in suppressing field populations of fungus-growing termites.

Prostaglandin A3 regulates the colony development of Odontotermes formosanus by reducing worker proportion

“…Various species of fungus-growing termites are considered pests in Asia and Africa, causing extensive destruction to forest trees, crops, and wooden structures [ 2 , 7 ]. They cause damage directly through gnawing on roots and stems and indirectly by transmitting pathogenic microorganisms [ 2 , 8 ]. A diverse array of trees and crops, including eucalyptus, palm, coconut, mango, corn, wheat, coffee, peanut, cassava, tomato, cotton, and numerous other common agricultural and forestry crops, are involved in these termites’ diets [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Physical barriers are well-used to protect small buildings, although they are expensive [ 13 ]. Chemical termiticides such as aldrin, dieldrin, fipronil, and thiamethoxam were once widely used for subterranean termite control because of their efficacy and cost-effectiveness [ 8 , 10 , 14 ]. However, these chemicals cannot control damage to non-targeted organisms and cause ecological risks [ 15 , 16 ].…”

“…Most existing baits are designed against lower termites, mainly species in Reticulitermes and Coptotermes [ 7 ]. Chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs), such as hexaflumuron, noviflumuron, chlorfluazuron, and diflubenzuron, are slow-acting, dose-independent, and low-repellent and are widely recognized as good toxicants against Rhinotermitidae [ 8 , 19 ]. However, these baits that achieve colony elimination by inhibiting molting are ineffective against fungus-growing higher termites, which do not need frequent molting [ 7 ].…”

Biochemical Alterations and Termiticidal Activity of Combinatorial Essential Oil Ingredients of <i>Citrus maxima</i> on Indian White Termite <i>Odontotermes obesus</i>

“…Termite destroys wood, swollen floors and ceilings. Termites also live in crevices of furniture, doors, windows and woody house hold articles [2]. Termites attack sprouting shoot and roots in farm fields.…”