Effects of Exposure Duration on Transfer of Nonrepellent Termiticides Among Workers of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

The potential for transfer of nonrepellent termiticide toxicants between workers of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, was examined using two commercially available pesticide formulations and a simple donor-recipient model modified from current methods in the literature. Pesticides used were imidacloprid, formulated as Premise 75 WP, and fipronil, formulated as Termidor SC, in concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 ppm (weight of active ingredient/weight of sand) in sand. The results of the first experiment showed a significant increase in recipient mortality over control mortality when donor workers were treated with 100 ppm imidacloprid or 100 ppm fipronil. Although all three colonies studied were affected, one colony (colony 3) was affected to a significantly greater extent than the other colonies. This effect was not correlated with termite body size (dry mass). In a second study, recipient mortality was evaluated after exposure of donors to 1 ppm insecticide for 3, 6, 12, or 24 h, Recipient mortality indicated that these exposures did not consistently lead to lethal transfer of the insecticides.

Toxicity of Acetamiprid to Workers of <i>Reticulitermes flaviceps</i> (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), <i>Coptotermes formosanus</i> (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and <i>Odontotermes formosanus</i> (Isoptera: Termitidae)

“…Meanwhile, imidacloprid could be transferred among individuals of C. formosanus. 25) The mechanism by which acetamiprid acts on insects is similar to that of imidacloprid. 26) Zhang et al 10) reported that sublethal concentrations of acetamiprid had no effect on the cellulase activity of R. flaviceps workers.…”

Horizontal transfer of boron by the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) after feedingon treated wood

“…The author interpreted these data as demonstrating the significance of horizontal transfer in the former case, and its reduction or absence in the latter. Shelton and Grace (2003) also demonstrated significant but minimal transfer of the non-repellent termiticides fipronil and imidacloprid between donors and recipients in laboratory tests. The pathway of horizontal transfer of insecticides is not always clear, though the concentration and exposure period of donors to recipients have been shown to have a significant impact on mortality in C. formosanus with the insecticide indoxacarb (Hu et al 2005).…”

Effect of Sub Lethal Concentrations on Population Size of Termites Odontotermes Obesus (Rambur) and Coptotermes Heimi (Wasmann) Under Laboratory and Field Conditions

“…It is known to inhibit the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in both insects and vertebrates Hosie et al [31,32] Tingle et al [33]. Fipronil and imidacloprid, as non-repellent insecticides, have attracted more interest than traditional repellent insecticides Kard et al [34][35][36][37].…”