Efficacy of hexaflumuron against the fungus-growing termite Pseudacanthotermes spiniger (Sjostedt) (Isoptera, Macrotermitinae)
Peppuy, A.; Robert, A.; Delbecque, J.P.; Leca, J.L.; Rouland, C.; Bordereau, C.
Pesticide Science 54(1): 22-26
1998
Accession: 003122863
The efficacy of hexaflumuron, a benzophenylurea insecticide, was studied for the first time on a fungus-growing termite (Pseudacanthotermes spiniger). The results showed that hexaflumuron could be useful in treating infestations of such pest species, which are of great economic importance in many tropical and equatorial countries. Foraging workers harvested and introduced treated food into the nest and subsequently contaminated the brood by trophallaxis. Hexaflumuron showed potent larvicidal activity. The compound did not appear to be rapidly degraded by the digestive enzymes of termite workers, nor by the symbiotic fungus Termitomyces eurhizus growing on fungus combs.