Feeding preference of Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) for gamma-irradiated wood impregnated with benzoylphenylurea compounds under laboratory conditions

J Econ Entomol. 2008 Jun;101(3):880-4. doi: 10.1603/0022-0493(2008)101[880:fpocfi]2.0.co;2.

Abstract

The feeding preference of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) for 200-kGy gamma-irradiated Cryptomeria japonica D. Don (Japanese cedar) sapwood impregnated with benzoylphenylurea compounds such as hexaflumuron and noviflumuron was examined by three laboratory tests. Although termites were not deterred from feeding on gamma-irradiated wood samples that had been impregnated with hexaflumuron or noviflumuron, termite mortality was significantly higher compared with solvent controls in the no-choice test. All live termites were transferred to paper disks immediately after the no-choice test to investigate changes in mortality with time, and this test also confirmed the effects of hexaflumuron and noviflumuron on worker termites, which showed a significant feeding preference for gamma-irradiated wood. Only the 1480 ppm noviflumuron-impregnated gamma-irradiated wood specimens showed significant differences in mortality in the two-choice test. These results suggest that gamma-irradiated C. japonica wood, which is locally abundant in Japan, may have potential as a bait substrate for benzoylphenylurea compounds.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Food Preferences
  • Gamma Rays
  • Isoptera / growth & development*
  • Isoptera / radiation effects*
  • Life Expectancy
  • Molting / radiation effects
  • Phenylurea Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Wood / radiation effects*

Substances

  • Phenylurea Compounds