Evaluation of hexaflumuron for controlling the subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae) in Malaysia

Cellulosic bait matrices containing 0.5% hexaflumuron were tested against f ield colonies of the sulterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren in Malaysia. Foraging activities of the termites were first monitored for several months by using survey stakes and wood bundles placed in undergroun d monitoring traps. Infested stakes were replaced with bait devices. Termit e workers to act as recruits were collected from infested stakes and placed in the bait devices. Subsequent activities of the termites were monitored by examining and weighing the wood in the monitoring traps. Data show that the four colonies had populations of 166,288-709,052 foragers and mean wood consumption rates of 305.9 -508.2 g/mo per trap. These colonies ceased the ir activities at all monitoring devices 25-14 d after baiting had commenced . Colonies consumed approximate to 27-79 g of bait matrix or 137.5-395 mg o f hexaflumuron. Thus, C. cuvignathus colonies could be monitored, character ized, baited, and foraging eliminated by using a bait matrix containing hex aflumuron.