Area-population control of fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus, using hexaflumuron durable baits.

Fungus-growing termites (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) are common forest and agriculture pests. To evaluate the efficacy of termite baiting in suppressing field population of fungus-growing termites, a durable termite bait with hexaflumuron was evenly installed in a one-hectare forest area dominated by a fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki). Monthly monitoring of termite foraging activity on baits and wood stakes was conducted for 4 years to quantify efficacy of baits. To examine whether the hexaflumuron led to colony death, pesticides in fungus gardens of active and deceased nests were quantified using a LC-QTOF/MS. After baiting, 50% and 90% of baits were fed upon 10 and 24 months, respectively. After 2 years of baiting, the monthly number of wood stakes occupied by termites was reduced from 34.7 ± 1.8 to 17.6 ± 2.5 (-49.1%), and the number of wood stakes consumed was reduced from 17.7 ± 0.8 to 13.3 ± 1.2 (-25.7%). Hexaflumuron was detected in deceased colonies, including five of six fungus gardens and the fungal tissue of Xyleria grown on fungus gardens, with a concentration of 0.31-20.11 mg kg-1 dry weight. This study demonstrated that durable hexaflumuron baits consumed by fungus-growing termites were further incorporated into fungus gardens, resulted in colony elimination and negative area-population effects, supporting that durable hexaflumuron baits are effective in suppressing field populations of fungus-growing termites. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Citation

Chun-I Chiu, Ya-Hui Chuang, Wei-Ren Liang, Hsin-Ting Yeh, Hsiao-Ying Yang, Ming-Jer Tsai, Neil A Spomer, Hou-Feng Li. Area-population control of fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus, using hexaflumuron durable baits. Pest management science. 2022 Jan;78(1):104-115

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PMID: 34453384

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