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

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 FST. 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 Vol. 59, No. 2, 2012 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.

Field and Laboratory Evaluations of Chlorantraniliprole as a Termiticide in Southern Arizona

“…Our results are comparable to those obtained by Puckett et al (2012) in a similar Þeld study using chlorantraniliprole against the Formosan subterranean termite in Texas. Similarly to our results, 6 out of the 11 structures they considered required no further treatment after the initial application.…”

“…This distinction is important because supplemental applications result from a lack of effect by the termiticide in areas beyond its site of application, while retreatments imply a failure of the termiticide to induce mortality. These deÞnitions are similar to those described by Puckett et al (2012).…”

“…Several studies have reported that mortality of termites exposed to chlorantraniliprole is delayed for 48 h or more (Gautam and Henderson 2011, Saran et al 2011, Neoh et al 2012, which might provide sufÞcient time for interactions leading to termiticide transfer to occur. Transfer between termites of the same colony has been observed in several termite species (Shelton 2009, Gautam and Henderson 2011, Buczkowski et al 2012, Neoh et al 2012, Puckett et al 2012. Additionally, termites exposed to chlorantraniliprole have been noted to have greater than normal frequency of interactions with unexposed nestmates (Neoh et al 2013).…”

Alate Trap-Based Assessment of Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Dispersal Flight Phenology Associated With an Urbanized Barrier Island Ecosystem

“…These termites are endemic to mainland China (Kistner 1985) and the Island of Taiwan (formerly Formosa; Li et al 2009), and it is believed that their introduction to the Hawaiian archipelago was the result of maritime activity originating from Taiwan, with subsequent introductions to the 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, Puckett et al 2012). However, Austin et al (2006) suggested two distinct C. formosanus introductions to Hawaii, and then the continental United States, both originating from mainland China.…”

Effects of concentration, distance, and application methods of Altriset (Chlorantraniliprole) on eastern subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

“…They reported that chlorantraniliprole is readily transferred in termite colonies causing high secondary mortality. The efficacy of Altriset on Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki feeding rates, lateral transfer among nestmates, and to control infestation in a field trial was conducted (Puckett et al, 2012). The study reported termites that were exposed to Altriset consumed significantly less food source and the mean percent mortality was significantly greater than unexposed termites.…”