Longevity of a mixture of acetamiprid and bifenthrin (Transport(TM) ) at the termiticidal application rate

BACKGROUND: The 30 month longevity, mobility and insecticidal activity of a combination of acetamiprid and bifenthrin currently marketed in the United States for the prevention of termite infestation in buildings was investigated in greenhouse and laboratory studies. RESULTS: Acetamiprid dissipated to below the limit of detection within 7 months of application, while bifenthrin remained in the soil at levels sufficient to kill termites for the duration of the study. Acetamiprid was detected in decreasing amounts in eluates of treated soil from months 1 to 4, while no bifenthrin was detected in eluates at any time. The treated soil remained toxic to termites for the 30 month duration of the study. Two indices of synergy between technical‐grade acetamiprid and bifenthrin demonstrated that it is unlikely that there would be any synergism between the two active ingredients in the field. The presence of vegetation did not have a significant effect on the longevity of bifenthrin, except at intermediate times, where residues in the treated soil were higher in vegetated plots, depending on depth and time. CONCLUSIONS: Acetamiprid has a short residual time in soil, and this formulation's effectiveness beyond about 7 months against subterranean termites is due to the bifenthrin content. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

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Abstract

Seed‐bed types, fertilizers, cassava stem portions, planting time and yam cultivars were studied for the incidence of termites in cassava and yam fields. Planting cassava on ridges reduced the incidence of termites and significantly (P<0.05) increased tuber yield. The bottom stem portion of cassava stick was the least attacked by termites. Planting cuttings when rains became steady reduced termite incidence. NPKMg (12:12:17:2) suppressed termites in yam and improved yield significantly. Delay in harvesting yam tubers increased termite infestation. Yield loss was highest for Dioscorea rotundata cv. Nwopoko, with losses of more than 5 metric tonnes/ha when harvest was done after December in termite infested soil. Chinese yam showed the greatest resistance to termites.     

3种白蚁防治药剂对散白蚁的控制效果观察

2010年-2012年应用吡虫啉10%悬浮剂、联苯菊酯5%悬浮剂和氟虫腈0.5%粉剂等3种白蚁防治药剂对危害房屋建筑的散白蚁进行了针对性处理,对其防治效果进行了观察和统计研究。结果表明：吡虫啉10%悬浮剂、联苯菊酯5%悬浮剂、氟虫腈0.5%粉剂对房屋建筑散白蚁危害的控制率分别为：85.30%、84.01%、80.33%,具有较好的防治效果,且吡虫啉10%悬浮剂、联苯菊酯5%悬浮剂防效均显著高于氟虫腈0.5%粉剂。此外,对3种白蚁防治药剂处理后再次发生蚁害的情况进行了分析。     

Bifenthrin longevity at the termiticidal application rate

BACKGROUND: The longevity, mobility and insecticidal activity of bifenthrin at the termiticidal application rate for perimeter treatment were investigated in packed-soil columns in the laboratory and greenhouse. RESULTS: Bifenthrin was not detected in the eluates of packed-soil cones over a period of 6 months. In larger pipe plots incorporating bifenthrin into the top 15 cm of the soil, the compound degraded in a biphasic fashion. Within the treated soil, the effect of vegetation on the amount of bifenthrin remaining in the soil depended on soil depth and time, and soil half-lives were longer in non-vegetated soil. Bifenthrin residues were higher in the top 7.5 cm of soil and declined over time. Movement of bifenthrin into the top untreated soil depth was observed, but much less was observed in lower depths. The soil remained toxic to termites in 3 day and 7 day forced exposure bioassays for the 30 month duration of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Concentrations of bifenthrin will remain in the soil at levels sufficient to kill termites for more than 30 months. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

广州古树名木白蚁的发生与防治

广州市古树名木受白蚁为害率为１６％，其中以家白蚁为害最大，占总为害率的９５．６％，受害树种以樟树为最严重。本文作者使用凯雷牌白蚁粉，彩蚁路施药法，分群孔施药法和钻巢＋诱杀法，于４－７月份对受害树木进行防治试验，结果证明分群孔施药法和钻巢＋诱杀法处理效果比较理想。作者还对广州市古树名木的保持提出了建议。     

Natural-product-based chromenes as a novel class of potential termiticides

BACKGROUND: Among the termite infestations in the United States, the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), is considered to be the most devastating termite pest. This pest most likely invaded North America as a result of the disembarkation of wooden military cargo at the port of New Orleans that arrived from Asia during and after World War II. It has now spread over other states, including Texas, Florida, South Carolina and California. Devastation caused by C. formosanus in North America has been estimated to cost $ US 1 billion a year. Over the past decades, organochlorines and organophosphates, the two prominent classes of termite control agents, have been banned owing to environmental and human health concerns. At the present time, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethroids, chloronicotinyls and pyrroles are being used as termite control agents. Mammalian toxicity and seeping of these compounds into groundwater are some of the drawbacks associated with these treatments. The instruction for the application of these termiticides indicate ground water advisory. Hence, with the increasing spread of termite infestation there is an increased need to discover effective, environmentally friendly and safe termite control agents with minimal mammalian toxicity. RESULTS: Chromene analogs derived from a natural‐product‐based chromene amide isolated from Amyris texana were tested in a collaborative discovery program for effective, environmentally friendly termite control agents. Several chromene derivatives were synthesized and characterized as a novel class of potential termiticides, followed by bioassays. These compounds exhibited significantly higher mortalities compared with untreated controls in laboratory bioassays. CONCLUSION: Chromene derivatives have been shown to be a potential novel class of termiticides against Formosan subterranean termites. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Farmers' knowledge and perceptions of termites as pests of yam (Dioscorea spp.) in Central Benin

Destruction of yam (Dioscorea spp.) tubers by termites is a major constraint to yam production in Central Benin. To obtain the basic information for the development of appropriate strategies of termites management in yam, a structured questionnaire was used to interview 142 farmers about their knowledge of termite species of yam, susceptibility of yam landraces, and management practices in 14 villages through the study area. A total of 45 vernaculars names of termites were recorded corresponding to 10 species. All the names given to termite species had a signification, mainly related to morphological aspects, type of damage, and termite caste. Eleven features were used by farmers to identify yam termites. The infestation of yam fields mostly occurred from October to April with Amitermes evuncifer and Trinevitermes oeconomus being the most damaging termite species. Overall, eight factors were identified by farmers as favouring the proliferation of termites in yam fields with drought being the most frequently reported factor. Farmers identified 11 yam landraces that were highly susceptible to termites attack, while 12 yam landraces were listed as resistant. Application of chemicals was the most commonly reported control method, followed by destruction of termite nest, and application of botanical extracts. According to farmers, the high multiplication rate of termites is the most important constraint in managing the issue of termites in yam.     

Response of the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to soil treated with microencapsulated fenobucarb

BACKGROUND: Treating soil with insecticides is thought to be an effective method for termite control. Speed of action and repellency of insecticides are important factors for discussing their barrier effects as soil-treatment termiticides. The chemical barrier effect of microencapsulated fenobucarb against Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki was examined in the laboratory.RESULTS: Fenobucarb had a significantly faster lethal effect when applied to the mouthparts than to the tergites of worker termites. Soil that had been treated with > or = 50 mg kg(-1) of microencapsulated fenobucarb had a barrier effect within a single day, and could stop or retard the penetration of termites for 7 days. Microencapsulated fenobucarb did not act as a repellent, as indicated by a gradual increase in mortality at > or = 50 mg kg(-1) with slight penetration into the treated soil during the 7 day test.CONCLUSION: The results suggest that microencapsulated fenobucarb is a fast-acting termiticide, with a good barrier effect as a soil treatment, that also acts as a reduced repellent, retarding entry of termites into treated soil.     

Effect of hexaflumuron on mortality of the Western subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) during and following exposure and movement of hexaflumuron in termite groups

The effects of hexaflumuron consumption on the mortality of workers of the Western subterranean termite, Reticulitermes hesperus Banks, were observed following various exposures to a substrate treated with 14C-labeled hexaflumuron at 5 g kg(-1). Uptake of hexaflumuron by workers was rapid, peaking at approximately 280 ng hexaflumuron per termite 12 days after exposure. The onset of mortality began at day 8, with cumulative mortality reaching approximately 96% by day 45. Excretion of hexaflumuron from worker termites was rapid following various exposure periods, half-lives ranging from 2.1 to 4.7 days. Trophallaxis among worker termites was efficient, hexaflumuron levels in recipient termites approaching two-thirds of levels present in donor termites feeding continuously on hexaflumuron-treated filter paper. The effect of donor-to-recipient group ratios was negligible on the amounts of hexaflumuron transferred from donors to recipients. In laboratory tests, hexaflumuron diffused from a feeding source within 7 days. The presence of additional food sources appeared to inhibit movement of hexaflumuron. Movement of hexaflumuron by cannibalism and coprophagy occurred, but was significant only when termites were starved. Hexaflumuron also appeared to adversely affect egg development by preventing hatch. Hexaflumuron was readily transferred through termite groups, effectively suppressing laboratory populations of R hesperus. Variable efficacy in field situations employing baiting with hexaflumuron in southern California may be a consequence of sporadic feeding at bait stations, the rapid clearance of hexaflumuron from individual termites, and the difficulties in bait presentation (low foraging activity, poor bait station foraging fidelity) inherent in the foraging characteristics of the Western subterranean termite.     

Effect of vegetation on the longevity,mobility and activity of fipronil applied at the termiticidal rate in laboratory soil columns

BACKGROUND: Termiticides are applied at concentrations much higher than those used in agricultural settings. The longevity of fipronil has not yet been examined at the rates used for termite control, nor has the compound's movement in the soil been addressed. RESULTS: Fipronil was detected in the eluates of treated soil cones, increasing initially and then decreasing to a steady concentration of about 1 µg mL^?1. In larger PVC pipe plots, fipronil in the top treated soil depth (0–7.5 cm) dissipated more rapidly (half‐life of 11–13 months) than in treated soil at the next treated depth (7.5–15 cm; half‐life of 20–29 months). The presence of vegetation had no significant effect on the mobility, longevity or movement into untreated depths. Treated soil remained toxic to termites throughout the duration of the study. Fipronil moved into the 15–22.5 cm soil depth in sufficient concentration to cause 100% mortality to eastern subterranean termites in 3 day bioassays. CONCLUSION: Fipronil remains in treated soil at levels toxic to termites for at least 30 months. Movement of the active ingredient was observed in sufficient amounts to kill termites in non‐treated soil directly below the treated soil. Published 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The termiticidal activity of Sextonia rubra (Mez) van der Werff (Lauraceae) extract and its active constituent rubrynolide

BACKGROUND: Termites are degradation agents that inflict severe damage on wood. Some long‐lasting Amazonian trees can resist these insects by producing toxic secondary metabolites. These metabolites could potentially replace synthetic termiticidal products which are becoming more restricted to use. RESULTS: Sextonia rubra is resistant to termite‐induced degradation. It has been demonstrated that this species naturally produces an ethyl‐acetate‐soluble termiticidal metabolite, rubrynolide, to protect its wood. Assays in the presence of tropical and invasive termites established that both rubrynolide and crude ethyl acetate extract from S. rubra wood can be used as a treatment for the protection of sensitive woods against termites. CONCLUSION: Rubrynolide and S. rubra extract are promising candidates for the replacement of synthetic termiticides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mobility,longevity and activity of chlorfenapyr in soils treated at a termiticidal rate

BACKGROUND: The mobility, longevity and termiticidal activity of chlorfenapyr applied to soils at the termiticidal labeled rate was evaluated for 30 months after treatment (MAT) in a greenhouse study. RESULTS: There was little dissipation of chlorfenapyr in soil treated at the labeled rate for perimeter treatments for the prevention and control of termite infestations. Chlorfenapyr was detected in soil immediately below the initially treated soil in the packed soil columns. This was likely due to settling of soil. The treated soil remained toxic to subterranean termites in 3 and 7 day bioassays over the duration of the study. The treated soil displayed slow‐acting properties regarding toxicity to termites. Trace amounts of chlorfenapyr were detected in the eluates of packed soil cones. CONCLUSION: The commercial formulation of chlorfenapyr used in this study (21.45% concentrate diluted to 0.125% prior to application) killed 100% of the tested subterranean termites for at least 30 months. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

荧光介孔二氧化硅负载丙硫菌唑纳米颗粒的制备及性能研究

近年来,丙硫菌唑作为一种新颖的广谱杀菌剂备受关注,但由于其代谢产物对操作人员存在健康风险,导致其在中国的使用和登记受到限制。将丙硫菌唑制备为具有缓慢释放、可提高农药稳定性等特点的缓释制剂可有效改善其带来的健康风险问题。本研究采用纳米荧光介孔二氧化硅制备了丙硫菌唑缓释纳米颗粒,通过扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、X-射线光电子能谱(XPS)、Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET)比表面积分析、热重分析(TGA)、荧光光谱以及高效液相色谱仪等手段对其结构与特性进行表征。采用透析袋法探讨了丙硫菌唑在释放介质中的释放行为;利用菌丝生长速率法测定了该载药颗粒对小麦赤霉病原菌的杀菌活性;通过激光共聚焦研究了荧光二氧化硅在小麦赤霉病菌菌丝体以及小麦中的传输情况。结果表明:所制备的载药纳米颗粒外观形貌较为规整,平均粒径为139 nm,其最大载药量可达27.14%;该纳米载药颗粒具有缓释性能,释放曲线符合Ritger-Peppas方程;载药颗粒与丙硫菌唑原药相比具有相同的毒力效果。此外,激光共聚焦结果表明,该荧光二氧化硅纳米颗粒可以在菌丝体以及小麦植株根部吸收和传导。     

Toxicity and horizontal transfer of chlorantraniliprole against the Asian subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann): effects of donor:recipient ratio, exposure duration and soil type

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of chlorantraniliprole and other insecticides (bifenthrin, fipronil, indoxacarb, imidacloprid and chlorfenapyr) were tested against Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann). Four experiments were conducted: a topical bioassay, a horizontal transfer study, an insecticide bioavailability test and a feeding bioassay. RESULTS: The topical bioassay showed that chlorantraniliprole was significantly less active to C. gestroi at 24 h post‐treatment compared with the other insecticides tested. Nevertheless, it is likely that a lesser amount of chlorantraniliprole was required to cause 50% mortality of C. gestroi at 7 and 14 days post‐treatment. The exposure duration and donor:recipient ratio affect the mortality of recipient termites. Mortality after exposure to chlorantraniliprole in sandy clay was significantly lower than in sand; however, by 14 days, > 90% of donor and recipient termites died in both substrates, irrespective of concentration. Fipronil and imidacloprid showed faster action, and high to moderate toxicity to C. gestroi. Termite workers also ceased to feed after exposure for 1 h to 50 mg kg^?1 chlorantraniliprole‐treated sandy clay. CONCLUSION: Chlorantraniliprole demonstrated delayed toxicity at the lowest label rate (50 mg kg^?1) in sandy clay. Its slow action will enable greater transfer of toxicant between nestmates, while feeding cessation will promote greater social interaction between healthy and exposed termites. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of non-repellent termiticides on the tunneling and walking ability of the eastern subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

BACKGROUND: Non-repellent insecticides, including fipronil and indoxacarb, are becoming increasingly important for soil treatments to manage the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). The effects of these insecticides on termite walking and tunneling behavior could significantly reduce their efficacy against colonies. RESULTS: Groups of R. flavipes were exposed to several concentrations of commercial formulations of fipronil and indoxacarb, and the ability of treated termites to tunnel in soil and walk was assessed. Increasing insecticide concentration resulted in a reduction in the ability of R. flavipes to walk, tunnel and form tunnel branches; the importance of these effects on the use of non-repellent insecticides is discussed. CONCLUSION: Exposure of R. flavipes to 1, 10 or 50 mg L⁻¹ of fipronil or 50, 100 or 200 mg L⁻¹ of indoxacarb significantly reduced termite walking and tunneling and the number of tunnel branches. Distance walked (ca 73 mm) by untreated control termites did not change over time for at least 16 h after treatment; control termites formed ca 150 cm of tunnels with ca 40 branches. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

阿维菌素B2海藻酸钠-壳聚糖包埋颗粒剂的制备及性能研究

为了提高阿维菌素B2的农药利用率,以海藻酸钠与壳聚糖为复合载体,采用复凝聚法制备了阿维菌素B2海藻酸钠-壳聚糖包埋颗粒剂,并研究了其理化性质及其在土壤中的释放性能。通过单因素试验筛选出对包埋颗粒剂包埋率影响较大的因素,并进行正交试验,以获得优化制备配方;用红外光谱表征包埋颗粒剂的化学结构,用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）观察其物理形态。采用土壤包埋法研究了其模拟释放性能。结果显示:制备阿维菌素B2海藻酸钠-壳聚糖包埋颗粒剂的优选配方为海藻酸钠质量分数1.5%,壳聚糖质量分数1%,Tween-20质量分数0.75%,投药量m（阿维菌素B2）: m（海藻酸钠）= 1 : 2,油水比[m（油相）: m（水相）] = 1 : 20;所制备的包埋颗粒剂的载药量为22.38% ± 0.25%,包埋率为95.26% ± 0.61%。SEM图像显示,包埋颗粒剂形状不规则;红外光谱数据显示,阿维菌素B2被成功包埋于载体中。土壤中的释放性能试验结果表明:包埋颗粒剂在土壤中突释明显,在前30 d,阿维菌素B2的释放量占80 d总释放量的60%以上;小粒径颗粒剂具有更快的释放速率。粒径150~300 μm和 > 300 μm的包埋颗粒剂释放符合一级动力学方程,粒径150~300 μm和 < 150 μm的包埋颗粒剂亦符合Higuchi方程。     

Comparative effects of vetiver oil,nootkatone and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate on Coptotermes formosanus and its symbiotic fauna

The potential of vetiver oil and nootkatone as wood treatments against Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki was examined by assessing the effects on termite tunneling, feeding activity and survival, and the consequences on the symbiont protozoa responsible for wood digestion. Comparisons were made with non-treated wood (control), wood treated with the borate compound Tim-Bor (a commonly used lumber preservative) and absence of a food source (starved termites), using choice and no-choice tests. All wood slices were prepared at the same time using a 10 g liter(-1) solution of each substance and were tested in four different sessions over one year to investigate longevity of the effects. Termites had to tunnel through sand to exploit the food sources, consisting of two wood slices, placed on opposite sides of the experimental enclosure. No-choice tests showed that in the presence of vetiver oil or nootkatone, tunneling activity was always the lowest; wood consumption, termite survival and flagellate numbers and species distribution were significantly different from the control and similar to the results obtained for starved termites and with Tim-Bor-treated wood. Nootkatone negatively affected termites for 12 months and was longer lasting than vetiver oil. In choice tests, when vetiver oil or nootkatone were present, termites exhibited a significant preference for non-treated wood. Our results confirmed both the toxicity and absence of repellency of Tim-Bor. Vetiver oil and especially nootkatone affected Formosan subterranean termites and their protozoa, acting as arrestants, repellents and feeding deterrents, and represent a promising natural alternative for the control of this invasive pest.     

Termite (order Blattodea,infraorder Isoptera) baiting 20 years after commercial release

Termite baiting is now one of the two main management tools in developed countries after 20 years of commercial release. It has two main goals: to use small amounts of active ingredient and ‘colony elimination’, i.e. death of all individuals in the colony. We consider how well baiting has been evaluated from 100 studies in the scientific literature. Studies have included 15 active ingredients, 23 termite species and 16 countries, yet most studies have focused on the chitin synthesis inhibitor hexaflumuron, Reticulitermes and the United States. Baiting has mostly met its goals: typically about 0.5 g of active ingredient was used, and colony elimination achieved, albeit with rates varying from 0 to 100%, and sometimes supplemented with liquid insecticide. Baiting was most successful using chitin synthesis inhibitors against Reticulitermes and Coptotermes (Rhinotermitidae), in temperate locations, although colony elimination was usually inferred indirectly – mostly by termite absence from baits – and was often slow, from 25 to 450 days. Baiting has been less tested and less successful against higher termites in tropical locations, where they are most diverse and abundant. Future research may have to consider greater termite species diversity and other active ingredients to reduce control times in order to fulfil the potential of baiting. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

测试条件对啶虫脒毒土柱防白蚁效果的影响

将预防性杀白蚁药剂施在土壤中形成毒土层是当前控制白蚁为害的主要方法之一。以黄胸散白蚁Reticulitermes flaviceps为对象,啶虫脒为供试药剂,在室内进行毒土柱防白蚁效果测定。结果表明,供试白蚁数量和食物供应与否均对药效试验评价结果有较大影响,毒土柱长度对测试结果的影响与土壤中药剂浓度有关。当毒土柱长度达到10 cm时,所测结果即可反应药剂对白蚁的阻杀效果。用毒土柱法测定预防药剂防白蚁的效果时,建议用10 cm长的毒土柱,每个重复的白蚁数为工蚁100头,并用湿润滤纸片作为供试白蚁的食物和水源。     

List of trees and shrubs infested by Kalotermes flavicollis (Kalotermitidae) in Greece

In Greece, the damage caused to trees and shrubs by termites has been increasing over the last 10 years. Local government and citizens have become interested in this pest due to frequent accidents caused by trees falling onto pavements, cars and people. This led the authors to carry out a survey to list the termite‐infested plant species, mainly on urban streets and in fields all over the country. The only termite species found was Kalotermes flavicollis (family Kalotermitidae). The present study highlights the current situation in Greece and provides a list of the fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs found to be infested by K. flavicollis, during the survey.