Abstract

In this laboratory evaluation, Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) actively attacked in the first week of testingPinus radiata (D. Don) wood blocks (50 x 25 x 15 mm) was treated with concentrations of Flufenoxuron (Flurox™) (that is, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ppm); the blocks with highest concentration were the most attractive. Results were similar whether blocks were leached or unleached. The earliest mortality occurred in the 400 ppm treatments between the fifth and sixth week of testing. All levels of flurox treatments proved toxic to C. acinaciformis, within eight weeks. Termite mortality over the test period in the water treated and solvent treated controls remained at ten percent. Flurox stimulated active termite feeding and tended to override the termites’ tendency to ‘mud-up’ their food source and surroundings. This suggests a strong ‘attractancy-feeding response’ induced by flurox. Since there was no significant difference between toxicity levels in the leached and unleached blocks, it may be concluded that flurox was firmly bound to the wood substrate of the timber specimens. These laboratory results strongly indicate that flurox has a role as a potential termite bait toxicant, particularly against Coptotermes species. Field trials were also conducted with parallel results.

Key words: Flurox, bait toxicant, Coptotermes acinaciformis, leached and unleached blocks, toxicity, feeding, mortality, laboratory evaluation, termite.