Tunneling and Activity of Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Exposed to Low Concentrations of Nonrepellent Termiticides

tunneling and activity bioassays of chlorfenapyr, fipronil, and imidacloprid treated sand were conducted in the laboratory using Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). termites tunneled significantly less through sand treated with 1.0 ppm concentrations of fipronil and imidacloprid compared to the control and chlorfenapyr. Mortality after 7 d was 57, 25, and 29% for fipronil, chlorfenapyr, and imidacloprid, respectively. In a second experiment, termite activity was determined from sound events detected in an acoustical event detection system over a 48 h period after termites were placed on sand treated with 1.0 or 10.0 ppm concentrations. Activity of termites declined to near zero within 3 and 9 h when exposed to 1.0 ppm imidaclopridand fiproniltreated sand, respectively. termites in the 1.0 ppm chlorfenapyr treatment showed a decline in activity to near zero after 7 h, followed by an increase in activity and another decline at 12 and 13 h only to increase once again and remain significantly above zero for the remainder of the 48 h period. Mean termite mortality 7 d after termites were placed on treated sand was 100, 99, and 76% for fipronil, chlorfenapyr, and imidacloprid, respectively. termite activity declined to near zero 2, 8, and 9 h after exposure to 10.0 ppm imidacloprid-, chlorfenapyr-, and fipronil-treated sand, respectively. Mortality associated with the 10.0 ppm concentration, recorded after 4 d, was 100% for fipronil and 92% for chlorfenapyr. Mortality due to imidacloprid exposure was 100% after 7 d.