Toxicity of seven termiticides on the formosan and eastern subterranean termites

J Econ Entomol. 2011 Jun;104(3):1002-8. doi: 10.1603/EC11005.

Abstract

Using both topical application and substrate (sand) treatments the toxicities of seven new generation soil termiticides were evaluated to determine the LD50 and LC50 against two economically important subterranean termite species, eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), and Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. The lethal dose toxicity (LD50) rankings for R. flavipes from highest to lowest were: fipronil > bifenthrin > chlorantraniliprole > cyantraniliprole > imidacloprid > chlorfenapyr > indoxacarb; the rankings for C. formosanus were fipronil > imidacloprid > chlorantraniliprole > cyanthraniliprole> bifenthrin > chlorfenapyr > indoxacarb. The respective lethal concentration toxicity (LC50) rankings were fipronil > bifenthrin > chlorfenapyr > indoxacarb > cyantraniliprole > chlorantraniliprole > imidacloprid for R. flavipes; and fipronil > chlorfenapyr > bifenthrin >imidacloprid > cyantraniliprole > chlorantraniliprole > indoxacarb for C. formosanus. The study provides an opportunity to directly compare toxicity, action speed, and bioavailability among this group of newer generation soil termiticides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Availability
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / toxicity*
  • Insecticides / administration & dosage
  • Insecticides / pharmacokinetics
  • Insecticides / toxicity*
  • Isoptera / drug effects*
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Organic Chemicals / administration & dosage
  • Organic Chemicals / pharmacokinetics
  • Organic Chemicals / toxicity*
  • Soil / chemistry
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Heterocyclic Compounds
  • Insecticides
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Soil